Text of Speech of the Eminent Leader Grand
Ayatollah Seyyid Ali Khamenei
at the Opening Ceremony of the 8th OIC Summit Meeting ,Tehran, 9th December, 1997
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
I wish to start my speech in this brotherly forum, which is to echo the
voice of Muslims world wide, by praising and glorifying Allah: 0 Lord, I praise You for
knowledge, for monotheism, for worship, and for kindness. I praise You for Islamic
brotherhood, for human dignity, for instruction of patience and reliance (on the
Almighty), and for recommending beneficence and generosity.
I extend greetings to the Holy Prophet Mohammad Mustafa (peace and
praise be upon him), Your servant and Your Messenger who hoisted the banner of monotheism
and equity, who raised the call of human dignity, and who liberated mankind from serving
anyone or anything but You.
I also send greetings to the immaculate Household, sincere
friends, and
disciples of the Holy Prophet (S), all worthy servants of Allah, and all human beings with
pure nature.
I wish to cordially and fraternally express welcome to all you dear
guests, heads of state and officials of the Islamic countries, as well as heads and
members of all delegations, the U.N. Secretary General, the secretary general of this
summit, and other dear guests.
Brothers and Sisters,
You have now gathered together in one of the homelands and strongholds
of Islam. Even though officially our President is your host, each and every Iranian also
considers himself / herself as your host and welcomes you to this land of faith.
Dear Guests,
Our gathering is not one of friends who get together in pursuit of
certain interests such that when other interests appear some other time our bonds would be
severed. We are brothers who have been eternally linked by our belief in the Quran
and who have all become a united body, namely the Islamic Ummah (nation), irrespective of
any historical, geographical, and political diversity.
We have inevitably accepted this link through our submission to Islam.
Complaints, differences, and even tensions cast a pall on this fact, but these can always
be washed away by recourse to wisdom, reason, and forbearance.
Let us glance at this august gathering and this historical meeting in
such a spirit to be able to reap benefit from it for determining the destiny of our own
nations and that of the grand Islamic Ummah.
Brothers `nd sisters and Dear Guests,
At the opening of this meeting, I will present my inaugural statements
with regard to three issues, namely Islam, the Islamic Ummah, and the OIC meeting and its
prospects, and then come up with conclusions.
1. Islam
During the early days after its advent and even at present, Islam has
been - and still is - a pathway toward a new world, warranting a prosperous life, moral
soundness, and salvation for mankind. At the time of the advent of Islam, previously and
even today, the major sufferings and grievances of man - which Islam is bent on
eradicating - have permanently been the same: poverty, ignorance, discrimination, war,
insecurity, and finally man's incarceration in the prison of materialism and captivity by
his evil tendencies.
And Islam is the religion of humanity, moderation, wisdom, and
submission to the Almighty - and evidently all religions have been so before being
subjected to distortion. As such, Islam presented non-extravagant remedies to the human
pains and sufferings in logically and rationally acceptable ways. Islam invited mankind
toward remembrance (of Allah), supplication, and establishment of spiritual relationship
with the Almighty. Islam taught man and recommended to him to combat evil, Aggression,
corruption and to constantly fight against egotism, selfishness, and bent for carnal
desires.
Islam's major decrees have taken shape in this way, and Islam's program
for man's individual, social, moral, and political life have grown out of these
roots.
In Islam, social justice, different types of freedom, equitable
peace,
combat with oppression and Aggression, male - female relationship, relationships among the
people and among the societies, self edification, inherent relationship with the Almighty
are all based on those pillars and geared toward alleviating the perennial and permanent
pains (gripping humanity).
Today, too, contrary to life's colourful and pleasant surface
appearance, mankind suffers from the same pains and sufferings that have beset humanity in
the course of history: The majority of people of the world are poor, while a small number
hold the major part of assets and wealth on earth. Most nations are deprived of scientific
progress, while a group have used their science and knowledge as a means to mete out
oppression on others. Wars flare in nooks
and comers of the world, while others (not affected by war) are
constantly in fear of the eruption of war. All over the world, there is discrimination
among the countries, while there are class differences in most states. The Western
materialistic civilisation is directing everyone toward materiality, while money,
gluttony, and carnal desires are made the greatest aspirations. Finally,
sincerity, truthfulness, altruism, and self - sacrifice have been replaced in many parts of the world
by deception, conspiracy, avarice, jealousy, and other indecent features.
Science, technology, equipment , speed, and facility have dramatically
changed the world as compared with the past, but the chronic and age -old pains and
chagrin of humanity still remain unchanged. The major problems of today are the same that
existed in the past.
Western liberalism, communism, socialism, and all other -isms have gone
through their tests and proved their debility. As in the past, today Islam is the only
remedial, curative and saviour angel: As with one thousand four hundred years
ago, today, too, the following call echoes:
Come to you light and a clear book from Allah; with it Allah guides him
who will follow His pleasure into the ways of safety and brings them out of utter darkness
into light by His will and guides them to the right path. (Holy Quran, Chapter
Maidah, Verses 15 and16) Indeed, there has.
The important consideration is the observation and recognition of the
true visage of Islam (devoid of any embellishments). The illuminated visage of Islam has
been defaced and defiled in the course of several centuries by the foes and in the course
of longer spans of time by the ignorant and heedless friends. They have deliberately or
ignorantly made additions or deletions in Islam.
At present, too, incorrect understanding and quest for interests are
still at work by the inner circles to tarnish the image of Islam. But without a shade of
doubt, enemy publicity in this regard is by far more effective, by trying to embark upon
this move through subtle and sly ways.
One instance of the enemies' incessant efforts to this end is the
massive bulk of publicity against the Islamic Iran after the establishment of the Islamic
government in Iran. They felt that levelling accusations and furnishing false news would
be the most conclusive ways to stave off the impacts of this grand revolution. They have
uttered such falsities about us and ascribed such things to us that their words have
become repetitive and completely monotonous and boring for the listeners. The
Zionists,
the notorious global Zionist media, and arrogant agents, in particular the Americans -
namely those who have sustained the greatest losses due to the revolution - have been -
and are - most active and vocal in this area.
Muslim brothers, on this basis, our great task is to recognise Islam
and make it recognised and become more familiar with one another.
2. The Islamic Ummah
The Islamic Ummah which sprang up in Madinat-un-Nabi and which stepped
in the way of quantitative and qualitative growth in an astonishing and legendary way was
the first political - human product of Islam.
In less than half a century after the emergence of this auspicious
phenomenon, it treaded almost half the entire territories of the three large neighbouring
ancient civilisations, namely Iran, Rome, and Egypt. A century later, it developed a
brilliant civilisation and a grand and powerful government in the heart of the world which
was bound on the east by the Great Wall of China and the Atlantic Ocean coasts and on the
north by the Siberian steppes and on the south by the southernmost part of the Indian
Ocean.
The third and fourth centuries A.H. and afterwards are embellished with
such a brilliant civilisation whose academic and cultural achievements can still be seen
in the modern world after a thousand years.
When recounting the history of science and
civilisation, Western historians overlook and neglect this grand and unprecedented
uprising, transformation, and revolution in science, culture, and civilisation and link
the history of science from ancient Greece and Rome to the Renaissance, as though science
and civilisation had died for a thousand years and were of a sudden reborn during the
Renaissance!
But the truth of the matter is that the Middle Ages was a period of
darkness, ignorance, and consternation only for the West and Europe, but for the Islamic
world, which was several times larger than Europe by ranging from Andalusia to China, this
was a period of illumination, awakening, and academic sublimation and boom.
This reminder does not aim at boasting of the past or lamenting the
decline of those days. The aim is to underline the fact that Islam and its life -
inspiring knowledge which gave rise to such a massive civilisation are now at our disposal
and warn us:
0 you who believe! answer (the call of ) Allah and His Apostle when he
calls you to that which gives you life ... (Holy Quran, Chapter Anfal, Verse 24)
Islam has proven that it has the capacity to lead its Ummah toward
civil and academic sublimation and political might and main: Faith, struggle, avoidance of
discord are the only prerequisites for fulfilment of this grand objective. The Holy
Quran teaches us:
And be not infirm, and be not grieving, and you shall have the upper
hand if you are believers. (Holy Quran, Chapter A'Iay Imran, Verse 139)
The Quran also teaches us:
And (as for) those who strive hard for Us, We will most certainly guide
them in Our ways; and Allah is most surely with the doers of good. (Holy Quran,
Chapter Ankabut, Verse 69)
It also offers the following instruction, And obey Allah and His
Apostle and do not quarrel for then you will be weak in hearts and our power will
depart,
and be patient; surely Allah is with the patient. (Holy Quran, Chapter
Anfal, Verse
46)
Weakness in relation to these three factors has at present engulfed the
Islamic Ummah in a pitiable condition At least, over the past two centuries, the
persistent and cunning enemies possessing prudence and policy and some incompetent Muslim
governments have, alongside diverse historical and political factors and
conditions,
intensely contributed to this condition and today we have inherited them from the past
generations.
Brothers and sisters, let us bequeath something more glorious to the
posterity.
In studying the external factors conducive to the present condition, I
believe that the invasion of the arrogant front is more effective.
In our
culture,
arrogance refers to a power clique which relies on its political, military,
scientific,
and economic power and gets inspiration from a discriminatory outlook toward mankind to
exert pressure on and exploit large groups of human
beings, namely nations, governments, and countries with bullying and
contemptuous domination, to interfere and intervene in their affairs, to plunder their
assets and wealth, to bully the governments, to oppress the nations, and to insult their
cultures and traditions. Salient examples are colonialism, neo- colonialism, and recently
the extensive and all out political, economic, publicity, and even military invasion of
the previous colonisers and their heirs. All of these are carried out in front of the eyes
of our nations, which are tasting their bitter fruits.
In this effective invasion, the Western powers have reaped benefit of
their academic and technological advancement and of some of their national and indigenous
features. We do not reprimand the enemy. Those who pave the ground for the victory of
their enemies and their own defeat through short-sightedness, search for ease and comfort,
and egotism deserve to be rebuked.
The West, in its all - rounded invasion, has also targeted our Islamic
faith and character. In the light of its store of science, needed by all, the West
intensely and persistently exported to our countries the culture of laxness and disregard
for religion and ethics, a culture with which it is gripped. Indubitably, this ethical
quagmire will, on a not too - distant day, engulf the
present Western civilisation and wipe it out.
At the present juncture, the world of Islam is in a calamitous
condition due to hostile invasions, coupled with the inner factors affecting the past
generations. Poverty, ignorance, academic backwardness, moral laxness, and worst yet, the
cultural and at times political domination of its enemies on the one hand and great
problems such as those of Palestine, Afghanistan, Lebanon, Iraq, Kashmir, Bosnia -
Herzegovina, the Caucasus, and others on the other hand offer a long list of divine and
human responsibilities to the governments, political dignitaries, and leaders of the
Islamic world.
Today, we should take the initiative. So far, the enemy has always held
the initiative, and we have, at most, complained.
In a historical process comprised of dozens of initiatives of the
enemy, Palestine has been turned into the personal belonging of the Zionists. First,
Palestinian lands were purchased. Then the immigrant Zionists were armed. Afterwards,
civil war raged , and Palestine's dismemberment was declared. Then new parts of that
Islamic and Arab country were conquered and occupied, and ultimately it was usurped
entirely while parts of Egypt, Syria, and Jordan were also annexed to it.
Up to this point, the Arab neighbours of Palestine have only once held
the initiative. And that was the October 1973 attack by Syria and Egypt during the holy
month of Ramazan. This attack did not reach full results due to the co-operation of the
U.S. with Israel and inaction of the Islamic countries; nonetheless, it was a source of
honour for the Arab front and led to the liberation of a part of the Arab lands.
From then on, the Zionists and their supporters, headed by the U.S.,
have all along held the initiative in chanting slogans of compromise and generally in
consolidating the usurping occupation of Palestine, and they have driven their rivals to
any possible lengths.
We Muslim governments should have offered more serious assistance to
the front-line states to rescue and save Palestine. In the past, some of our governments
have even covertly worked to the disadvantage of the front-line states. A prominent
example was the government of Iran in the Pahlavi era. Pitifully, at the said time, Iran
was a safe haven for the Zionists and a sincere colleague for the usurping Israeli regime.
Dear Brothers and sisters,
This condition is incompatible with Islamic dignity and far away from
the remedies to the pains grieving the Islamic Ummah. All Islamic countries should assume
a meritorious role in retrieving the rights of the Palestinian people, and the world of
Islam should also proceed from passivity to a state of holding the initiative. Both these
duties are at present carried out wholeheartedly and with might and main only by the
faithful and dignified youth in Palestine and Lebanon. Hail to them!
Our opposition to the so-called Middle East peace process is because it
is unjust, arrogant, contemptuous, and finally illogical. The imposed principle of
"peace for land" means that the Zionists would return the lands of all
neighbouring countries, provided that we accept that Palestine belongs to them. What could
be 1-nore unjust than these words? What response can be offered to the ancient Palestinian
nation in this losing transaction? Ironically, the Israeli
regime considers this inappropriate and has rejected it!! Isn't the
time rife for the world of Islam to respond to this spirit of arrogance?
If we regulate our ties and make them brotherly, we will have power to
do so. What can the U.S. do vis-a-vis the united front of the Islamic countries, ranging
from Indonesia to North Africa?
Today, global arrogance gains hope and strength through
creating discord and disunity in this front. Is it not time to bolster and strengthen this
rank in our own favour?
Perhaps the existence of an enemy such as Israel in the heart of the
Islamic lands could have brought us closer ... But the covert hands of arrogance effaced
even this peril from along its way: It did something to us that right now we fear each
other more than we fear the enemy! The temptations, falsehoods, and sly publicity have
made the Islamic countries erroneously and unduly intimidated by one another.
For eighteen years now, the political designers of arrogance are
breathing their poisonous breath to make our neighbours in the Persian Gulf fearful of
Islamic Iran which holds the banner of unity and brotherhood. I declare that Islamic Iran
poses no threat to any Islamic country.
Blessed by the Quranic injunctions, Islamic Iran is today more
and than ever for unity, dignity, and might of the world of Islam.
Thanks to the Islamic
faith and notwithstanding the enemies' publicity ploys, we Iranians have upheld and
preserved our national unity in an unprecedented way and enhanced public involvement in
the affairs contrary to the claims and innate wishes of our enemies. The brilliant
presidential elections this year was an example of this dally increasing public
involvement (in the affairs).
The government is united and uniform and all officials are cordial with
one another. Confidence and self - reliance are the major decisive factors in all our
academic, political, economic, and cultural endeavours. Possessed of this belief in our
selves, which Imam Khomeini taught us, we have been able to reconstruct and rehabilitate a
ruined and backward country left from the Pahlavi era and made even more ruined during the
eight - year - long imposed war. We witness the same endeavour in some other brotherly
countries as well.
But political dignity and power are of greatest importance. Our nation
and government have eradicated the influence and intervention of the foreigners in their
country by recourse to Islam. Nowadays, the Islamic Ummah is avid for that self -
confidence and for this dignity and independence. And all of us should muster efforts to
this end. This is a historical responsibility. Today, the ground is paved for fulfilment
of this duty and for acquisition of dignity, power, and full independence of the world of
Islam.
If co-ordination of these efforts requires a hub, we now have it at our
disposal- the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC). We should glance at this
Organisation and its future prospects.
3. Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) and Future Prospects.
Today, 27 years have lapsed since a fire broke out in Masjid al Aqsa,
an event which resulted in the set - up of the OIC. We shoulder the duty of sending peace
and greetings to the founders of this Organisation and voicing appreciation to them.
But the world's present conditions expose the Organisation of the
Islamic Conference to more serious expectations as compared with those of the past. This
Organisation can be the symbol of true unity of the Muslim countries in the face of events
and common interests.
It can speak on behalf of its members, make demands, carry out
requisite measures, and enjoy their financial, economic, and political backing. It can
serve as a troubleshooting liaison among its members. Whenever measures and activities for
an enormous task and a common objective require co-ordination, the Organisation can act as
the co-ordinator. Where needed, it can engage in arbitration, and when beneficial, it can
offer advice and consultations.
At present, though the world of Islam has a share of less than 20
percent of the global trade -- which is the approximate ratio of Muslims compared to the
overall world population -- very insignificant percentage of this amount is devoted to
trade among the Islamic states.
The Organisation can play an active role in this effective economic
area, which will have impacts on politics of these countries as well.
Currently, some of our countries enjoy precious natural and productive
facilities, as well as academic, industrial, and cultural capacities and capabilities,
while some other countries are in dire need of these.
The Organisation can seriously
intervene in fostering a logical and just exchange of these facilities.
Today and forever, large groups of Muslims are inflicted by heart
aching pains that entail immediate solution and panacea. For instance, at present, some
Afghan states, such as Bamian, are exposed to public starvation and terribly cold winter
conditions. The people of Iraq are gripped by one of the most difficult problems in their
history due to scarcity of foodstuff and medicine. Lives of millions of human beings,
especially children, are threatened there. In Algeria, the most gruesome crimes are
perpetrated by covert hands to accuse the
Islamists with them and to defile Islam. In Bosnia, Kashmir, Somalia,
Karabakh, and some other regions, the Muslims are beset with problems.
The Organisation of the Islamic Conference can set up special
committees to see to these issues and solve the tangles with an effective measure in which
all members have a share.
To activate the Organisation in issues related to the member states, we
need no one and nothing except public will and financial donations of the rich Islamic
countries. The possible opposition of governments that stand to lose from Muslim unity
will not be able to create any barriers along the way , If our resolve is firm.
When the Muslim people of the Balkans were barbarically subjected to
genocide and when the nation was standing alone and defending its Islamic identity in the
face of the organised military Invasion of some countries and the indifference of other
countries, the need for such a centre was felt to allay a part of the sufferings of those
brothers and to significantly tilt the balance of global equations in favour of that
oppressed nation.
Right now, the presence of foreign warships and more importantly the
U.S. military muscle flexing in the Persian Gulf, which is an Islamic sea and an important
source of energy for the entire world, is faced with insecurity. A powerful Organisation
of Islamic Conference can on the one hand use the medium of Islamic power and dignity to
force the aliens to dispense with this Intervention and on the other hand eliminate the
pretexts for this improper presence (in the region). The Organisation can, when needed,
deploy forces from the Islamic countries to preserve and safeguard peace and security in
this area.
At present, Muslim minorities are intensely in pain in some countries
due to discrimination, oppression, and discriminatory treatments. It is incumbent on all
Muslims to aid and assist them. But in order to offer serious and acceptable assistance
within the framework of international relations, we are in need of an Islamic inter -
nation centre. And which centre can be more adequate than the Organisation of the Islamic
Conference? There are scores of incomplete and half - done enterprises, each of which is
the duty of all Islamic governments. I only mentioned some examples. In all these Islamic
government can fill the vacuum for Islamic instances, no inter - governmental centre.
Brothers and Sisters and Dear Guests,
Let us benefit from the opportunities with the succour of the Almighty
and gain greater proximity. Let us strengthen and cement the centre than binds us together
The Organisation of the Islamic Conference should be able to follow up its resolutions
until full implementation so that such meetings would be fructifying for our nations.
The Organisation of the Islamic Conference should, moreover, be able to
establish the inter-parliamentary union of the Islamic countries and translate the idea of
the common Islamic market from a farfetched dream to a reality. It should lay the
foundations for the Islamic arbitration tribunal. And finally as the representative of 55
Islamic countries and one billion and several million people, the Organisation of the
Islamic Conference should become a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council
and be the sixth member with veto right so long as this right exists.
This was an account of the future prospects of the Organisation of the
Islamic Conference, and this can delineate and depict the future Prospects of the Islamic
Ummah.
And peace be upon you, and the mercy and blessings of Allah.
Excerpt from speech by leader Ayatollah Khamene'i
delivered on the occasion of Basij Week - broadcast by Iranian TV on 26th
November:
... Here I would like to request everybody to stop all the rallies [in
support of the leader]. It is enough. There is enough time for coming on the scene and to
rally for issues which this nation is always facing. There is no need to continue these
demonstrations. I request from people all over the country to stop their demonstrations.
Of course, writers and speakers should inform the people. The duty to guide people is a
divine responsibility.
Concerning this issue, some may think that injustice was done against
me personally. If I myself have been subjected to any injustice by anyone, I personally
forgive them completely. I have no complaint against anyone. Of course, our esteemed imam
[Khomeyni] had a great deal to say to the people in those 10 years, some of which he
mentioned to the people and most of which he did not.
I also have things to say, and if God Almighty allows us to speak
before Him, we will discuss them with Him. There is no need for everything to be said. In
this issue, I have no personal grudge. But I will not allow the right of the people to be
violated.
[Chants of "God is great", "Khamene'i is the
leader".]
Please pay attention. Those who tried to create anxiety among the
people, those who tried to disturb peace and security, those who imagined they could make
the people confront each other by creating discord among the people, they have committed
acts of treason against the people, against the revolution and against the country. They
should be dealt with according to the law and within the framework of the law. I urge you
not to do anything against the law. I urge you not to commit any illegal act. No-one
should try and seek to punish anyone. This matter should be left to the law. Acts of
revenge should not be committed under any circumstances. Act of revenge has no place here.
We should take revenge from arrogant enemies in an appropriate time...
Source: Vision of the Islamic Republic of Iran Network 1, Tehran, in
Persian 1110 gmt 26 Nov 97
Speech to the Hazrat-e Rasul 27th
Division and Basiji personnel (26.11.1997)
IRIB Television First Program Network, 26 Nov 97
[Passage omitted: greeting the audience and praying in
Arabic] This year the anniversary of the formation of the auspicious 20-million-strong
army, which was commanded by our wise, departed Imam, has coincided with a period which
contains historically memorable events. [passage omitted: on the anniversary of the
martyrdom of the seventh Shiite Imam; the upcoming anniversary of the Prophet
Mohammeds prophetic mission; giving a background to the formation of the basij;
stressing the importance of its role in the defence and development of the country;
praising its personnel; stressing the importance of piety and being close to God during
the holy month of Ramadan; praising Khomeini for his achievements, greatness, sincerity,
decisiveness].
My dear ones, no one should think that enemy plots have ended 18 years
after the victory of the revolution. No, the enemy will not stop fighting a system which
has taken away the illegitimate interests of arrogance in the region. Verbally, they say
things, but the truth is otherwise. The Islamic system, thanks to the great effort of the
Iranian nation and that divine leadership, has been able to create a model in the world
which is looked up to by many Muslim nations today. Do you think that arrogance can easily
forget such a thing? Today, in every corner of Muslim countries, and even some non-Muslim
countries, every nation or every society that objects to the excesses of world arrogance,
copies the slogans and methods of the Iranian nation, and even uses the name of the
Iranian nation and the late Imam.
[crowd chants God is great, Khamene'i is the leader]
America and its arrogant agents, followers, and mercenaries will not
overlook that. They fight, they plot, they resort to ploys and tricks, as they have done
in the past 18 years. Of course, the enemy's tricks and ploys will be foiled through the
alertness, vigilance, and active presence of the nation and the correct behaviour of the
nation and the government. They will have no effect, but we must be alert and vigilant; we
must strengthen our bond with God; we must strengthen piety. I say to you, enemy plots in
the past were different from those today. In the past the enemy plots were raw. That is,
America, world arrogance,
and big companies affiliated to the Zionists and others, who wanted to
fight the Iranian nation and revolution, used simpler methods which were easy to expose
for everyone. For example, threats of military invasions and starting a war. It was, of
course, a conspiracy, but everyone knew it. The plot would come to light and the people
would resist and stand up to it. Or the American attack at the Tabas desert. It was a
clear case. And the economic blockades, the propaganda attacks, and so on, and so forth.
They gradually realised that they cannot defeat the Iranian nation and the Islamic
revolution. That experience has led them to make their methods more complex. And the more
complex their methods, the more vigilant the Iranian nation should be. The young
generation should increase their preparedness. Not preparedness for war, because there is
no talk of military war now. Of course, battle preparedness is also necessary just in
case. However, what is necessary for everyone is spiritual preparedness--that is,
ideological, psychological, and political preparedness--maintaining unity; for the various
forces to be connected; strong and friendly connection between the nation and the
government; recognising the enemy's face in any disguise.
The enemy comes to confront the revolution under various guises; it
does not always come forward in the military uniform of such and such foreign government.
A while ago, in one of the gatherings set up in a foreign country on the revolution and
the dangers of the revolution for global arrogance, certain individuals who addressed the
gathering had said that the Islamic revolution progressed by the clergy and with the
support of the young in the seminaries and universities and, on the whole, through
reliance on the young, to beat the revolution we must use the same instrument; we must go
to the seminaries, to clergy, to the universities so that we might inflict a blow against
the revolution. Little did they know that our seminaries are alert, our universities are
alert, and our elders are alert. The plotters have misjudged the Iranian nation. In the
conspiracy, whose signs you recently noticed--I do not wish to go into the details of such
things, I do not wish to name names. However, the Iranian nation must pay proper attention
to the nub of the situation, understand the depth of the conspiracy. Dearly beloved, we
will not make a mistake in recognising the enemy. Let the enemy know this. Let them not
imagine that if they encourage several simple individuals, clerics, to make certain
remarks we will make the mistake of taking these as our enemies. These are nobodies.
[crowd chants: God is Great! Death to the anti-revolutionaries! Death
to Israel!]
The enemy hides itself behind the curtain. It does not come forward. It
does not show itself. The enemy tries not to be recognised. The person who, on his own
reckoning, bears his chest and steps forward is just an agent. He may not even realise
himself that he is a mere agent. He may not even realise himself that he is a mere agent.
The eminent Imam used to say that sometimes the enemy, using ten intermediaries, incites
someone to say something or do something. If you seek to identify the enemy, you must go
through ten intermediaries. In Iran, the enemies of the revolution, that is to say the
lackeys of global arrogance, can easily find ten intermediaries and send them to Qom
seminary, encourage a wretched person to make certain remarks, to take up a wrong and
inept position. There are so many people in our country who are political bankrupts, who
have been dealt blows by the revolution, they have been given a slap in the face by this
same basiji force, have been dealt blows by the revolutionary courts; those who had hoped
for the former tyrannical regime to stay on in power in order to exploit it, but were
deprived of that; the former Savakies [savak]. There are enough of them to make up the ten
intermediaries to carry a statement, a lie to a certain wretched, miserable person who
might be imagining that now was the time to make certain remarks and thus put himself, his
wife, and children, and others in peril. One must be vigilant. I do hope that the Iranian
nation does not make a mistake in identifying the enemy. Know the enemy: the global
arrogance is the enemy, America is the enemy, the Zionists are the enemy.
[crowd chants: Death to America! Death to Israel!]
Please pay attention. The enemy has tried all sorts of methods to fight
against the revolution. This time, they thought they would use a more effective method by
targeting the leadership. Undoubtedly, following much study and finding out about various
situations and, of course, true and false reports, they came to the conclusion that the
leadership must be targeted. Why? Because they realise that if there is a strong
leadership in the country, all their plots will be foiled.
[crowd chants: God is Great! Khamene'i is the leader! Death to the
anti-revolutionaries! Death to America! Death to Israel!]
Otherwise, they are not concerned with personalities. Personalities are
not important to them. It does not matter who the leader is. Did not the same people who
today speak with such harsh language and utter streams of calumny and accusation stand up
against the Imam. They did stand up to the Imam. They made the Imam's heart bleed,
something that he has referred to in his letter. They are against the leadership because
they know that the leadership in the Islamic and Iranian community is the resolver of
problems.
Leadership means the focal point where the problems of the government -
any government - are resolved. Anywhere, pay attention, anywhere the enemy propaganda does
something that will make the people pessimistic about the government, it is the words of
the leadership which clarifies the truth for the people, unmasks the enemy plot. Did you
not see in past years what they used to do to statesmen and officials, and how they were
trying to spread black propaganda, use various ploys, in order to make people despair.
When they try to make people despair, it is the leadership which gives hope to the people.
Where they seek to create an international political conspiracy, it is the leadership
which steps forward and places the integrity of the revolution up against the conspiracy;
like the recent European incident where, as you saw, it forced the enemy to retreat. Where
they seek to create a dispute among the people's various factions, it is the leadership
which steps forward to make people hold hands together, to create sympathy and prevent
rifts. Where they seek to empty polling stations of the electorate, make people despair of
turning out, it is the leadership which warms people's hearts and tells them that voting
is a duty so that people show trust and turn out, and create an epic.
Where the people need to express their views about the issues relating
to the revolution, they hang on the leadership's words. During the period under the
departed Imam, they tried the same thing time and again, and got a slap in the face. By
God's grace, following the passing away of the late Imam, the boiling, strong union
between the people and the leadership has managed to deliver a heavy blow to the enemy's
mouth in the same way.
[crowd chants: God is Great! Khamene'i is the leader! Death to the
anti-revolutionaries!]
It is quite natural that they oppose our leadership. They are bearing a
deep grudge. This is not at all surprising. Of course, they only oppose a powerful leader.
They will not care much about a weak leader, who is a leader in name only, is never
mentioned in the news, whose mind can be altered easily, and who could easily be duped.
[passage omitted: repeating the point]
I am not surprised that they have targeted the leadership. But the
nation is awake. Praise be to God, the ulema, dignitaries, and the state authorities
demonstrated extreme vigilance. As always, as soon as they realised that there was a
conspiracy... [pauses]
Well, there are many speeches delivered in the world. There are many
leaflets distributed secretly at night. There is an abundance of false remarks, calumny,
allegations, and lies. However, not every allegation and lie is a conspiracy. Not every
rumour is spread by the enemy. Knowledgeable and alert people identify those rumours which
are conspired by the enemy. The first person, who entered the arena during the past couple
of weeks and spoke against these rumours, was our dear President His Excellency Mr.
Khatami. During an interview, in a very precise and tactful manner, he informed the people
and cleared their minds from the enemy's installations. The people then confronted the
enemies' conspiracy. As a result they became very angry.
The presidential election this year was a happy event for the people.
To the people it was not a small matter that 30 million of them took part in the
elections, that a president was elected by winning 20 million of the votes, that a cabinet
was formed, that the Islamic Majlis endorsed all the cabinet ministers, and that the
ministers continue their work all over the country, and submit their reports on time. All
these developments tasted sweet to the people, but in the same proportion were bitter to
the enemy. The enemies could not bear it. They realised that the people's proper and
popular move was directed from a focal point. The focal point is the nation's unity,
solidarity, and faith. They decided to destroy this unity, this faith, and this solidarity
of the people. They intended to demonstrate to the world that there was a division within
the Islamic Republic's system.
Most of the false analyses come from the foreign radio stations.
Various people listen to these radio stations, but unfortunately some gullible people
believe the enemies' propaganda. Our enemies spend money to set up such radio stations to
brainwash their targeted listeners. If you listen to these radio stations now, you will
realise that they have resorted to hue and cry just to prove that there is division,
discord, and enmity in the Islamic Republic of Iran. They want to pretend as if the
so-called divided factions cannot bear each other. You poor and desperate!
You have neither understood the Iranian people nor their revolution.
You have not understood our clergy and officials either. It was thanks to your ignorance
that you were defeated in our revolution. It was because of your ignorance and wrong
analyses that you have been suffering repeated defeats over the past 18 years. Thanks to
the blessings of our revolution, you were defeated by our people this time too. You must
blame your mistakes for your defeat. You will be defeated until the end. [shouts of
approval from the crowd]
The enemy tried to make the world believe that there were two opposing
factions, who did not agree on the authority, whereas he explained the matter in an
interview. It then became clear that there were obvious acts of provocation. Everyone is
aware of his own obligations and can help each other by kindness. Here, the enemy was
frustrated; and later the eminent ayatollahs, the honourable sources of emulation in
Qom... [pauses]
One of the important divine blessings in this country is our capable
sources of emulation. A well-informed source of emulation is greater than any other divine
gift to the people. But it should be a knowledgeable source of emulation, whose thoughts
are not influenced by the enemy's propaganda. It should be a source of emulation who, for
his political analysis, does not receive inspiration from Radio Israel. This is highly
valuable. You saw how our sources of emulation stood firm against these murmurs and the
rumours fabricated by the enemy. Later the Qom seminary, the clergy in Qom and from other
major cities and towns in the country clarified their stance. It became clear that the
Iranian nation is awake. To be fair, both the nation, and the officials, and the clergy
demonstrated a very good stance. I would like to thank each and everyone of them. I am not
thanking them for me as a person. The issue here, my dear ones, is not this or that
person. I am like the rest of you, and the same as any individual among you must defend
the Islamic system, the Islamic leadership, and the principle of velayat-e faqih
[Guardianship of the Supreme Jurisconsult] as the backbone of this system. This is my
duty. It is a religious obligation and not a personal matter. In view of my heavy burden
of responsibility, I would like to offer my sincere gratitude to everyone who entered the
arena at this juncture to silence the enemy and to punch the enemy in the mouth.
[shouts of support for Khamene'i; death to America, hypocrites and
Montazeri]
Here I would like to request everyone to stop all the rallies. It is
enough. There is enough time for coming on the scene and to rally for issues which this
nation is always facing. There is no need to continue these demonstrations. I request from
people all over the country to stop their demonstrations. Of course, writers and speakers
should inform the people. The duty to guide people is a divine responsibility. Concerning
this issue, some may think that injustice was done against me personally. If I myself have
been subjected to any injustice by anyone, I personally forgive them completely. I have no
complaint against anyone.
Of course, our esteemed Imam had a great deal to say to the people in
those 10 years, some of which he mentioned to the people and most of which he did not. I
also have things to say, and if God Almighty allows us to speak before Him, we will
discuss them with Him. There is no need for everything to be said. In this issue, I have
no personal grudge. But I will not allow the right of the people to be violated.
[chants of: "God is great," "Khamene'i is the
leader"]
Please pay attention. Those who tried to create anxiety among the
people, those who tried to disturb peace and security, those who imagined they could make
the people confront each other by creating discord among the people, they have committed
acts of treason against the people, against the revolution, and against the country. They
should be dealt with according to the law and within the framework of the law. I urge you
not to do anything against the law. I urge you not to commit any illegal act. No one
should try and seek to punish anyone. This matter should be left to the law. Acts of
revenge should not be committed under any circumstances. Acts of revenge have no place
here. We should take revenge from arrogant enemies at an appropriate time. It is not worth
taking revenge from those who act out of ignorance and short-lived desires, human desires
which stem from ugly habits, jealousy, and other things. But law should be implemented. If
certain acts which have been committed, and I have been informed more of such acts are
being planned, if those actions are illegal, which they are, if they are acts of treason,
which they are, then executive and judiciary officials should perform their duties and
deal with them. Of course, I know that they will perform their duties and will not show
any weakness in this respect.
[chants of: "God is great," "Khamene'i is the
leader," "death to those who oppose velayat-e faqih"]
My dear ones, my dear people, please...
[crowd interrupting with chants]
The thing that is, my dear people, pay attention, the thing that is
important is that every single member of the nation, especially young people, especially
the members of the Basij, school children's Basij, university students' Basij, workers'
Basij, trade guilds' Basij, tribal Basij, all the different units of the Basij, people who
are not members of the Basij Organisation but who are, in reality, members of the Basij
should - each and everyone of them - be prepared to carry out their duty, be ready,
prepare themselves for defending Islam and the revolution. Defence, too, is not something
that must always be carried out using
instruments of force, it is not with fists, with guns. Sometimes
defence occurs through understanding. Sometimes defence occurs through words. Sometimes
the defence of the truth occurs through one's presence at a certain place. Perhaps one of
the greatest services the revolution rendered to the Iranian people was that it opened
people's minds, it politicised people's minds, it opened people's eyes. It familiarised
everyone with international issues and the affairs of the country. This familiarity, this
understanding must grow with every passing day, it must increase. If this occurs, the
enemy will not be able to do anything. And you should know that the country's officials
are all ready to carry out their duties in the best possible way. Today, the officials of
the judicial branch, the officials of the legislative branch, the officials of the
executive branch, the members of the cabinet, the eminent President himself, all the
people involved, military and law enforcement forces, people who hold responsibility in
various areas, they are all ready to perform that which is their divine and Islamic duty.
There is no weakness or hesitation whatsoever. And everyone is moving in the same
direction. Let the enemy not look at a difference of opinion over this or that political
issue and imagine: there are differences between them. No. There are no differences
whatsoever between them over society's main concerns, over the honour of the revolution
and the fundamental affairs of Islam. They are uniform. And the eminent clergy and the
great ones of the seminaries, too, are, as always, standing in front of the rank and file,
and they are moving.
For my own part, I have also asked Exalted God to allow my unworthy
body and life to be placed at the service of this same path and at the service of Islam
and the Iranian nation. That which is within my power and which Exalted God has entrusted
to me--in terms of body, life, capabilities--will, one and all, with God's grace, be put
at the service of this path and confront the enemy. Let the enemy know: This Islamic
revolution is the same revolution that shook arrogance's imperial throne, possessing that
same force, that same splendour, that same impressiveness and, with God's grace, with
those same victories and making the same progress. [crowd chants]
And the vast force consisting of this nation's youth... [crowd
interrupting with chants of "We are ready, we are ready"]
God be praised, the country's vast youth force is also on stage. May
God protect you all. May He further enlighten your shining hearts with the rays of His
knowledge. May He, God willing, bestow His kindness and grace upon you
all. And may the sacred presence of the Lord of the Age--may our souls
be sacrificed to him and may God hasten his advent--be pleased with you all. And may the
sacred spirit of the eminent Imam include you in its prayers.
May God's peace and blessings be upon you.
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
Today, praise be to God, is a blessed day for the Iranian nation and we
hope that the Almighty will descend His blessings on this nation, the officials and the
dear president who is officially taking the rein of power as of today. God willing, we
will all be able to benefit from the Divine blessings and pious prayers of the twelfth
Imam (may God hasten his reappearance). This great Divine donation, God willing, will have
eternal and notable blessings.
At this crucial juncture, praise be to God, the country is in a
situation that any other country or nation enjoying the same condition and capital, would
have the right to look at its future with a rational and relevant optimism. We can witness
signs and traces of Divine blessings and assistance in all the events. This 30 million
vote (at the 7th presidential elections) is a manifestation of the grace of the Almighty
to the Islamic Republic system.
When the propaganda loudspeakers of the countries which claim to
advocate democracy, right at a time that they were claiming that the Iranian nation has
split from its revolution and system and has turned its back to the ideals of its Imam,
the nation came into the scene and fulfilling the last will of the Imam, launched a
magnificent election which we had rarely witnessed since the culmination of the
revolution. Look, what a Divine blessing it was! As our great Imam said once and I myself
have experienced this in my responsibilities in various capacities, whenever we face
hardship, the Almighty renders His assistance to us.
My dear ones! You must know that hncidents occur that the state
officials, those who are informed of the events, including those behind the scene, know
that the factor behind this incident cannot be something ordinary and natural and that
nothing but the Divine dispensation was behind this event (elections). We really believe
so... Therefore, Divine assistance is something natural and evident. We have enjoyed
Divine blessings and assistance so far and we will continue to enjoy it in future as
well...
@nother major factor which we must taken into consideration is that of
this great nation. A nation who is on the side of the government, interested in the ruling
system, ready to make sacrifices for it whenever necessary, a faithful nation, a nation
present in the scene, a nation who has proved in the past that wherever necessary it will
enter the scene to protect its country, the Islamic system and Islam. This has been the
case in the past and will be so in the future. The war scene demonstrated this and before
that, the revolution proved this. During the recent years, the construction era also
proved that the Iranian nation maintains a sincere, enthusiastic and cordial presence in
the scene, wherever its presence is needed. Nobody is begged for his favor, everybody
feels obliged and enters the scene. This will the case in the future, too.
Of course it is unlikely for us to have a military experience in the
future but if we assume that this may again occur to an ignorant person or system to
challenge our people militarily, they would once again have to deal with this same nation,
this same youth and this same dynamic and faithful people who are present everywhere, in
the elections, in the political scene, in demonstrations and in decision-makings. This
nation is a great asset. This nation is loyal to the Imam and tows his path. Even now, the
most popular person among this nation and in their hearts is our great Imam - Imam
Khomeini (peace be upon him) no matter what others say or analyze.
It is a blunder for somebody to ask others about his own conditions.
Some are of the habit to sit and see what the news circles affiliated to Zionists,
oppressors and capitalists who are against Islam, Muslims and the Islamic system are
telling about Iran! Obviously, they cannot tell the reality; they cannot even realize the
fact. They do not know our nation, country, system, officials and personalities. You can
see how many mistakes they are making. You see the way they comment about our dignitaries.
All the informed and specialized persons laugh at their naivety. They speak out their
dreams! It is the same old story of the "camel and cottonseed." They express as
an analysis what they have in their mind and what they want.
This is not the story of the Iranian nation. The story of this nation
is what you are witnessing. The story of this nation is written in the scenes of the eight
year sacred defense (Iraqi war). The story of the Iranian nation is their 30 million vote
in the recent (presidential) elections. The Iranian nation is a Muslim and revolutionary
nation, who has faith in Imam, is interested in the Islamic system, is ready to defend the
ideals and values it believes in and is committed to them.
This is a great asset. Any government and administration, having such a
backing and nation behind it, should be hopeful about the future, must feel powerful, must
feel that it can work and that it has the duty to work.
What I would like to remind the officials of the future government and
the dear president who, thanks be to God, pays attention to these points, is that all our
efforts should be aimed to first know the nation and secondly meet their needs. We are
indebted to this nation. It is this nation who preserved the country. It is the nation
who, in fact, is the sign of the power of the Almighty.
I was going through the statements of the great Imam when inaugurating
the (previous) presidents and noticed that in all his speeches he has talked to all of
them constantly about the people and the nation, the oppressed and the poor in particular.
These are the forces who have been and will remain loyal to the revolution, the Imam and
various governments. This is the same wisdom of the Imam, the same thing that when we
observe or study from various perspectives, we realize that it is proper and preferred.
The dear ones who will assume responsibility in a near future must make
use of these permanent assets and serve them as much as they can.
Praise be to the Almighty, this is the situation at present, this is
our people and this is a country which has taken long and major strides towards
development. Maybe during the previous regime, even part of what has been accomplished in
the reconstruction era had not been carried out because nothing was done properly. If they
did anything for the country, from quantitative point of view, was really little compared
to what has been done in this short period. Even the little they did was so distorted
because it did not manifest the independence of the nation.
The former regime's policies were dependent. A few relatively brave
statesmen managed to write an oil contract at the time of Reza Khan (of the Pahlavi
Dynasty) which paid little attention to the people's rights. Under the pressures exerted
by the British, Reza Khan, with his boots on, entered the room where the cabinet was
meeting, took the oil file and threw it into the fireplace before the eyes of everybody
and burnt it! This has been related by themselves, people such as Taqizadeh and others.
Their policy was that of dependence. Even the railroads they tried to
complete, served the interests of the allied forces rather than those of Iran and its
trade. Because it was to the advantage of the allied forces to establish a link between
two of their fronts, fighting against Germany on those days.
The North-South railroad aimed to connect the then Soviet Union to the
south where the British troops were stationed in the Persian Gulf and to supply them with
arms to enable them resist against the Germans and its allies.
The proponents of the notorious regime and the remnants of the former
regime talk about the North-South railway even now after 50 years, a railway which came
into existence on the basis of a treacherous plan, failing to observe the nation's
independence.
You see, the huge railroads constructed after the (Iraqi) war in Iran
is what the Iranian nation requires. An Orientalist who had traveled to Iran on those
days, says, "I am very surprised that the Iranian railroad has not passed through the
major trade centers of the country, the same places that have been linked to the network
today thanks God and thanks to the efforts of the Islamic Republic.
Neither in quality nor in quantity, what had been done before the
Islamic Republic in this country is comparable to what this popular and Divine Islamic
Republic system has carried out. This shows what an spiritual and faithful system it is.
Enjoying popular backing and having faith, spirituality, brotherhood, coordination,
reliance on the Almighty and belief in the invisible (Imam), must have such consequences.
Despite all the enmity, conspiracies, opposition, various political,
economic sanctions and propaganda wars, the Iranian nation has managed to support its
governments. The governments too have been able to run the state affairs in terms of
development as well as political and international prestige and national strength. This is
a great Divine blessing - and a manifestation of the same power I talked about, i.e.- the
Almighty has always supported and will support this nation.
This is what I have been recommending and still stress; I myself have
focused all my attempts on this and advise others to do so; that efforts should be made to
root out poverty, injustice and discrimination, a heritage of the diabolic regimes of the
pre-revolution era.
If we fail to take this issue into consideration, what we have
accomplished would be incomplete even if we achieve a result far better than what has been
done during the recent years and under the administration of our dear brother Mr. Hashemi
(the outgoing president).
My dear ones! The Islamic Republic is not a capitalist system. Four
years ago on the inauguration day (of Mr. Hashemi Rafsanjani), I made the same statement
to the audience. The capitalist system is after accumulation of wealth, economic
flourishing, the national income on the whole. It does not care how this wealth is
accumulated, who will make use of it and what percentage of the people use it.
This system believes that the national income should be high and
economic efforts should be supported; The laws and the executive power are drawn towards
this objective. The maximum they can do - of course not in all capitalist countries - is
to provide insurance and some guarantees to the oppressed and deprived classes.
The Islamic system is not like that. The logic in the Islamic system is
that justice is the principle. Of course people accumulate wealth. The Islamic
administration is not after a poor society with petty public income. It makes use of
wealth, advances science, exploits underground resources, helps people develop
spiritually, launches on trade and puts into operation its industry. The history of Islam
indicates that thanks to these same Divine principles, during the rule of Islam, the
Islamic society made immense achievements and progressed in science and industry in the
entire world.
Yet, all these activities were directed towards justice, there is
wealth but justice should be guaranteed in the society. For justice we are in expectation
of the 12th Imam (May God hasten his reappearance). All the prophets have been appointed
to establish justice... These are very meaningful statements mentioned in the holy
Quran and Nahjulbalagha (the sayings of the first Imam, Ali (a.s.)). These remarks
have been brought up in the statements of the Infallible.
This is equity. We don't say that all should enjoy the same right.
Because it is not possible since motivations, capabilities and efforts are different. Some
make more efforts and some less. Some have a better power of innovation; talents are not
equal... People differ in their talents and abilities. The question is not that people
should be the same but that everybody should be able to work with respect to his/her
talents, strive according to his/her ambition and gain as much as they have power, nobody
must remain oppressed and deprived. This is the main objective.
When we came to office, on the day of struggle, we strived; on the day
we were made proposals for accepting responsibilities, we accepted in one way or the
other. Those who are not acquainted with our culture, should believe this - although we
know they wouldn't - that responsibilities are not attractive to us. Those from among
ourselves and those closely familiar with this culture and these people know this. These
responsibilities are valuable and attractive only for the sake of safeguarding social
justice and Divine laws.
Of course lots of things have been done in this regard. It is
ungratefulness if we don't mention the efforts made by our dear brothers in various
positions in the past. But a longer way, in comparison with what has been traversed so
far, is in front of us. We have to perform greater work than what we have done so far. The
direction of the activities of the government - be it in cultural, economic or
construction areas - must be on this basis, while the activities are divergent.
Thanks be to the Almighty, the elections were held very well and
coupled with popular contentment. Today one feels that it is an auspicious day for our
nation and the country. This is also a Divine blessing.
May the Almighty bless this day and this event, subject us to His
blessings, suppress the enemies of this nation and fulfill their great wishes. May God
assist the dear president and the officials whom he will choose in the grave task they
have ahead...
May the peace of God and His mercy be upon you all."
EUROPEAN "IMPUDENCE" WILL NOT BE TOLERATED
Source: Voice of the Islamic Republic of Iran Network 1, Tehran, in
Persian 1010 gmt 30 Apr 97
The following are excerpts from Ay. Khamene'i's speech, broadcast by
Iranian radio:
In the name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate. Welcome my dear
brothers and sisters... My dear ones, let me tell you that today Islamic Iran is going
through a highly significant and sensitive phase. The era is highly significant, the same
as the [Iran-Iraq] war years. That period was important for a different reason and so is
today.
Today our enemies abroad, that is, the arrogant states, have sat down
staring at Iran. They are waiting to see whether they can bring down the Iranian nation
from its principled and Islamic stances. This is their ambition.
There is a chain in the world at the top of which lie those arrogant
countries, who consider themselves advanced. There are some European countries and there
is America. They are at the top of the chain. And - like in the game children play, where
there are some in front and the rest hold their skirts and run after them - they [arrogant
countries] draw behind them small, poor and weak countries and governments lacking popular
support. Whatever direction those [arrogant] countries choose is imposed on the followers.
Those wretched countries have made the bully boys get used to bullying. In my opinion,
most of the fault in strong governments bullying others today lies with regimes that,
owing to their weakness, have made the bullies used to being blatant, to expecting too
much and bullying others.
For 17 or 18 years now, Islamic Iran has been saying to those
countries: Be independent, think of your nations, govern yourselves, preserve your
culture, your independence, and follow your path. Why do you follow others? The Iranian
government and nation are standing like a mountain and are not yielding to others'
expectations and bullying. However in the past [before the revolution] Iran was like one
of those countries that was at the back of line, holding the skirt of the ones in front
and running after them. Since the revolution, and particularly since the war ended, they
[the West] said now that the war is over and they [the Iranians] want to rebuild the
country, perhaps under the pressure of their needs, we can force them to retreat from
their stances and come back and follow arrogant countries. But they saw that it did not
happen.
Throughout these years, the Iranian nation has travelled both the path
of progress - God be praised, long strides have been taken towards the development of the
country. Many things have been achieved in the country. And, in terms of political stances
on international issues, it has made its stances clearer, more explicit and more decisive
with every passing day: It will not surrender to them. They are trying to exert pressure
[on Iran]. At such times, the Iranian nation must think hard about strengthening itself.
Throughout these years ahead, when they have not yet abandoned hope, the Iranian nation
must work hard so that it reaches the point when it will not have the slightest dependence
on anyone beyond its borders - true self-reliance, in other words, in the full sense of
the expression, so that they will not be able to bully us.
Look at that very meeting that was held by European foreign ministers
yesterday. They sat down and talked nonsense. The adopted incorrect stances; they made a
declaration and ended the meeting. What was the aim? The aim was to exert pressure on the
Iranian government and the Iranian nation.
They said rude things at yesterday's meeting. The Iranian nation and
the Iranian government must demonstrate that we will show a very severe and decisive
response to bullying, arrogant and rude governments. [Crowd chants in support] One of
their very wrong statements came when they decided to hold a meeting to put together their
wise heads. They said: Let us go and ask Iran to respect human rights.
The more I kept thinking of a name for their stance - I wondered what
the meaning of their action was - [the more] I came to the conclusion that I could find no
other name for it but impudence. These gentlemen exhibited impudence by expressing this
statement. Human rights indeed!
The worst instances of human rights violations were perpetrated by
European governments in this century. That is, 100 years of abuse. Even if we go back to
read the history of Europe in previous centuries we will not find anything else. I have
read the history of Europe a great deal, but let us go through the past 100 years only.
The same gentlemen of Europe waged two world wars full of sedition. The
two world wars were their work. The same European gentlemen colonized dozens of countries
in the world. The same gentlemen who sat down in Luxembourg yesterday to compare the
length of their beards [expression meaning idle talking and wasting time], talked to one
another and issued a so-called wise statement. The sins of colonialism, that is to say,
the violation of other nations' rights is a burden of responsibility on the shoulders of
the same governments, whose representatives sat down yesterday to discuss the status of
human rights in Iran. This [colonialism] was an example of their human rights violation in
recent decades.
That has to do with past decades. During our own time, who created the
chemical weapons plants in Iraq, which wrought so many tragedies? These same gentlemen.
Who created nuclear installations in Iraq which were threatening the entire region? Iraq's
nuclear installations, where they wanted to manufacture an atomic bomb - these same
gentlemen. Who is laying the groundwork for and justifying the crimes committed by Israel,
which commits a crime every passing day? These same gentlemen. These same governments.
Look, these men who are sitting here are the relatives of the martyrs
of Qana [Lebanon]. Last year, the Zionist government committed one of its most tragic
crimes before the eyes of these men. Did they say anything? Did they even utter a
reprimand? Was that not wrong? This is the extent to which their being is intertwined with
the violation of human rights. At the moment, so many crimes are being committed in the
occupied territories. Lebanon is bombarded daily - ordinary people's homes. They come into
Lebanese villages. They land with their helicopters, take people on board and take them to
prison. Before the eyes of these same European gentlemen. They are together in this.
Nothing. Do they say a word? Not at all. Do they become angry? Not at all.
In the Bosnia-Hercegovina affair, so many tragedies were brought about.
Then, when they saw that it was becoming really ugly - other crimes may occur outside
Europe. This was occurring within Europe itself. They created a bit of a hue and cry. They
did not undertake any correct and real measure. Today, the Muslims are still under
pressure from the Serbs. Right now. Criminals who killed or buried alive thousands of
people or starved them to death in prisons are walking freely right now in Europe. No-one
objects to them.
These gentlemen, these European governments, with so many crimes that
have either been committed by themselves or have been committed before their eyes while
they were silent - how can they have the nerve to say to Islamic Iran, to a popular
system, to a brave nation that it is a violator of human rights? Is this anything other
than shamelessness? They are truly shameless.
Iran does not "give a damn" about dialogue with Europe
Now, they have supposedly frightened the Iranian government by saying:
We will suspend critical dialogue. Who gives a damn? Are we demanding dialogue? If there
is to be any criticism, we are the ones who are critical of you. The name of these talks
was wrong from the start. I always said from the beginning that these talks should be
called bilateral criticism. If there is to be criticism, it should come from both sides.
We are more critical of you than you are of us. What is your criticism? Your criticism is:
Why do you observe Islamic principles? This is a source of pride to us.
Look, see how shameless, cruel, ill-willed, unjust, impudent the
enemies of the Iranian nation are. That is how they are. The enemies of the Islamic
Republic. Of course, the Iranian nation has seen worse cases than these enmities and has
stood firm like a mountain. Do you think anyone in Iran cares what they have said? Of
course, our government has, God be praised, taken very good stances regarding their ugly
behaviour. From now on, too, it must proceed from a position of strength. First of all,
they [the Iranian government] should not allow the German ambassador to come to Iran for
now, for a while. They should not allow him in. [Crowd chants in support: God is Great,
Khamene'i is leader, Death to America, Death to Israel.]
As to the rest, the ones who want to come, to return, well, as a kind
of conciliatory move so to speak; well, they went themselves, they are to come back
themselves - as if their departure was very important. They saw that it was not important
at all. Now, they want to come back. All right. If they want to come back, there is
nothing wrong with that. However, there should be no haste in the return of Iranian
ambassadors to those countries. Take your time. See what is appropriate. Whatever is
dictated by Islamic honour - as we have always said - they should act in accordance with
that.
The truth is this: Let both the Europeans and others know this: Let
Europe not think that we need it. Not at all. We have no need of Europe. We can manage our
country even without Europe. Now, let us assume that a number of luxury or cosmetic goods,
which are being imported from this or that country, stop coming. Well, that is fine. What
does it matter? We produce domestically what our nation needs, and if there is something
that we need, there are many countries which are queuing up to sell it to us. What do we
need those few European countries for? They think they own the world.
Of course, in my opinion, they [European countries] were deceived in
this affair. They were deceived by the Zionists and the Americans. That is, the Americans
exerted pressure on them. But they did not realize who they were dealing with. They do not
realize the fact that Islamic Iran is not a country which can be forced to relinquish its
positions or be forced to surrender to anyone. Iran is a country which, despite the
obstacles put in its way by big powers, for the past 18 years, has been, wholeheartedly,
bravely and in a dignified manner, achieving what it has achieved so far...
This nation is alive. This nation is alert. This is a happy,
constructive nation which does not need anyone else. We do not need anyone. Those who wish
to have links with Iran should know that if relations were to become arrogant, the Iranian
nation will reject them.
My dear ones, teachers, workers, young people and all of you in whose
hands the country's stability, independence and backbone are placed: You shoulder a heavy
burden of responsibility. Can you see how unfair
your enemy is? Can you see how ruthless and shameless the enemy is? If
you wish to be saved from the enemy's domination, you must work hard. Everybody must work
hard. Everyone must perform his task with care to please God and to enable this Islamic
state, this proud and prosperous Iran, to stand against the enemy, and to make everyone
realize that thanks to the blessings of Islam, no enemy can bully or exploit this nation.
May God's peace and mercy be upon you all. [Crowd chants in support].
Ayatollah Khamene'i
speaking in Bandar Abbas to the troops taking part in the exercises (23. 4.1997)
Source: Vision of the
Islamic Republic of Iran Network 1, Tehran, in Persian 1230 gmt 23 Apr 97
In the name of God, the Merciful,
the Compassionate...
In the 18-year life of the
revolution the Iranian nation has staged a continual great political, military and
humanitarian manoeuvre for the benefit of mankind. All the manoeuvres which were staged
for real on the battlefields in the [Iran-Iraq] war and those staged nowadays in the form
of drills and preparations here and there are part and parcel of the great manoeuvre of
the Iranian nation. They are the show of strength of a nation which is determined to
utilize its God-given forces to build its honourable life. It means that a nation, with
its national integrity and a sense of honour inherent in its fabric, its history and its
ideas, wishes to say no to the enemies and the aggressors...
That is what these exercises
mean. Our exercises do not threaten any neighbour, any nation or government. In spite of
the propaganda by America and Zionism and their mouthpieces which have constantly wanted
to make out that Islamic Iran is a threat to Persian Gulf countries, the Iranian nation
poses no threat to Persian Gulf and neighbouring countries, nor to any other country which
does not attack it. We threaten no-one; but this nation, by relying on its own strength,
on God, on the instructions of the holy Koran - which has said: Rely on God and fear
no-one - will stand against those powers that are used to threatening any nation that is
not prepared to kneel to them, will not take their threats seriously, will defend its
legitimate stances and its path, and will not retreat even a single step from its
justice-seeking claims.
That is the real meaning of these
exercises. Yes, we threaten no-one. If some people, some governments, some politicians, or
some journalists make out that Islamic Iran poses a threat to them as a neighbour, for
their own and their people's entertainment, it is up to them. Our forces in the Persian
Gulf and within the borders of the country are there to defend the frontiers of this proud
Islamic homeland and the independence of this nation and to stand up to bullying powers.
My dear ones, this nation was not
backward in terms of science, culture and ideological, scientific and social progress.
That was instilled in them by those aggressor powers in various periods with the
assistance of corrupt rulers. They forced the Iranian nation to lag behind in human
civilization, human knowledge and scientific progress. Then Islam came and revived this
nation, made it become familiar with its own potentials. God Almighty sent a teacher
[Khomeyni] for this nation, who spoke to it in the language of the prophets, woke it up,
made it understand its rights, made it realize its own strength, made it clear to it that
if a nation wishes it can achieve great miracles. And the nation woke up...
Today this nation fears no power
in the world. That is not an insignificant point. It feels strong. One day two superpowers
- although they opposed each other on every issue, or some issues - joined forces on this
issue to steer this nation away from Islam and restore the old situation; but they could
not. By God, no power in the world today can steer the Iranian nation away from the proud
path of Islam and the Koran. What are they thinking? What are they thinking of, the people
who think otherwise? The ones who have fallen into the habit of making justified or
unjustified criticism of the Iranian nation? They talk idly and write idly. Their analysis
and understanding of the affairs of this country is wrong. They have not understood this
nation or its language. They have not understand the language of this nation.
I would like to address all the
world's government officials who think and decide about Iran and the Iranian nation. I
would like to tell them: please try to understand this nation properly. Wrong analysis
leads to wrong solutions. When they understand this nation wrongly, they make wrong
decisions about it, just like the Americans. They have never tried to understand this
nation as it is. They have not understand its language. They apply the same old
stereotypes, the same old phrases which apply to themselves but which may not necessarily
apply to other nations. Those [stereotypes] belong to their own culture, but every nation
has its own culture. Why should a nation give up its own culture, faith and understanding
of issues and surrender to some other nation's culture and understanding of issues?
Why do some have excessive
expectations, become ossified and suffer from stereotyped ideas? Anyone who thinks or
judges the Iranian nation like that is bound to make a wrong assessment of it.
When it concerns world issues,
the policy of the Iranian nation is a clear. The Iranian nation, because of its vision,
because of its vision of its own past - because it does not ignore its own past, it
studies its own history precisely, the history of those close to it from 100, 50 or 30
years ago - has realized the nature of arrogant regimes. And at this current juncture the
regime of the United States of America - during the past 30 or perhaps 35 years it
[America] dominated this country politically during the sinister regime of the Pahlavi
[dynasty] - the Iranian nation has realized that, it has understood and had the experience
that during that time they brought a great deal of harm to it. Their hands are stained
with the blood of this people. They insulted this nation. They took away its wealth. They
supported a corrupt and inhuman regime like that of Mohammad Reza [the shah].
Therefore, the Iranian nation has
understood this. That is what the Americans did to this nation for 35 years before the
revolution, and since the first day of the revolution the Americans have shown enmity
towards this nation as much as they possibly could. Having seen this situation, the
Iranian nation is not prepared to forgive the Americans so easily. That is all. The
Iranian nation is not prepared to ignore the crimes committed by the United States of
America. That is all.
In the eyes of the Iranian nation
those world states which side with the USA and join the US front, share the crimes of the
US government. The Americans have tried to promote the idea that the word West means the
USA. They say: Basically, the Western bloc is meaningless without the USA. They have tried
to brainwash the world to accept this idea. Of course, this is not the case.
Several years ago, when Imam
Khomeyni - may God be satisfied with his deeds - was alive, I was talking to a European
diplomat. I told him: Bearing in mind that we will never be prepared to compromise our
political, economic and cultural independence, we still regard the West as a [trading]
partner, on condition that the word West does not mean the USA. The Iranian nation will
not forgive the USA and will not compromise with it.
I told him: The USA wishes to
pretend that the West means America, but we say this is not the case. However, if the
Western states, the European countries, wish to confirm that the West without the USA is
meaningless, then the Iranian nation would not mind abandoning the West as a trading and
political partner. It does not matter at all. It is not as if the Iranian nation needs to
maintain ties with a certain country or with a group of states. Of course, all countries
of the world benefit from establishing links with one another. We are not going to discuss
this issue here. But if anyone were to imagine that the Iranian nation or the government
of the Islamic Republic of Iran is desperate to maintain ties with a group of countries
[EU], he would be making a grave mistake.
We would like to repeat our words
today. We do not look at the world's countries in the same light. We view in different way
those states which have treated the Iranian nation badly, while we respect those which
have maintained healthy relations in various fields. [Break in transmission for one minute
30 seconds]
Those who try to insinuate that
the Iranian nation, or the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran, is seeking to
invade this or that country or [cross] this or that geographical border, should stop
making such claims. The Iranian nation and the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran
have thousands of great obligations to perform to construct and develop their country,
which stop them from committing such acts.
Today, God be praised, the
caravan of science and civilization, the Islamic civilization which can serve the people,
is on its way in this country. My dear young people, dear Basijis, dear faithful young
people, God's verses have enlightened your hearts. You have accepted, understood those
verses and are carrying them out. The future belongs to you. You have the road open to
you. You should prepare yourselves on all fronts, in all arenas. Of course all should know
that if a nation like yours treads successfully the same path, with God's blessing, then
other nations will [have the opportunity to] learn from that nation.
That is what makes the [world]
arrogance want wholeheartedly to take violent and hostile measures against the Iranian
nation. We should be ready to confront the enemy which is ready to take any violent
action, if it can, against the Iranian nation...
The Germans who accuse the
Islamic Republic of not caring for people's lives - this very unjust, spiteful and unfair
accusation - the least we can say about them is that right under their [German officials]
noses, German companies equipped the Ba'thist regime with the most dangerous and criminal
chemical weapons. That is the least we can say about them [German officials], if, of
course, we omit to mention that they themselves were involved. If we are speaking of
enmity towards people's lives, what worse could one do than provide the Iraqi regime with
chemical weapons and nerve [gases]? Even war has its own rules and regulations. War is
something violent and unpleasant, but it has its own laws.
The most dastardly means were
used by the aggressor Ba'thist regime against the Iranian nation and our youngsters.
Repeatedly and for a long time they pounded Tehran and dozens of other cities with
long-range missiles. On the fronts they used chemical weapons, not once, not twice, not
for a month, or two months, but for many years. Perhaps for five or six years the Ba'thist
regime used chemical weapons on the Iran-Iraq fronts. Who, but those countries that talk
about human rights, gave them to them? Who else gave the Ba'thist regime those weapons?
Today many things have become
clear. The Westerners - those who are extremely hostile to the Iranian nation and the
Islamic Republic - have for various reasons admitted it. In fact we should say that God
Almighty slapped them on the back of the head and forced them to do it. They have written
it in their books, in their articles. German companies, most of which would not have done
it without the permission of the German government, sold those chemical weapons, those
deadly substances, to the Iraqis.
Why did they sell them? Did they
not know that they would be used on the battlefields? Where do they use mustard gas? Where
is a person who buys deadly chemical weapons going to use them? Is he going to go home and
inhale them? Of course he is going to use them on the battlefields.
Those same gentlemen who have
accused the Islamic Republic of being careless with human lives, were they not ashamed of
themselves? Did they not fear the God they believe in? Did they not consider human
conscience? They sold them [chemical weapons] in large quantities to the Ba'thist regime,
and it came and used them on the borders, on the battlefields, right in front of them.
Then we sent the victims abroad
for treatment. Where to? To Germany. Many of our chemical victims went and received
treatment in the hands of the same people who had dispensed the chemical weapons. Do they
have a conscience? Do they respect human values, human lives? Are they not ashamed to
claim all that?
My dear ones, such animosity
towards the Islamic Republic, such unfairness, such prejudice, are all because the Iranian
nation has chosen the path of independence, under the rule of divine law, and because it
is not prepared to kneel before them and show weakness. And that is how the enemy is.
Against such enemies one should be equipped, one should be prepared. And you have brought
about that preparedness.
God willing, the land exercises
of these pious forces will be held here and in other areas tomorrow, as stated by our dear
brothers in the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps...
Peace and God's mercy be upon
you.
In the Name of Allah the All Beneficent, the Most
Merciful.
All praise belong to Allah the Lord of all
beings and may blessings and peace be upon Muhammed, our Master, and his immaculate
Progeny God, the All Wise, has said,
" And remember when we made the House a place of homecoming for the people
and sanctuary (declaring) ; Take the venue of prayer from the station of Abraham. And we
charged Abraham and Ismail (saying): Purify My House from those who circle it, for those
who stay there in confinement and those who bow and prostrate." (2:125)
These days yet again the House of God is a host to mighty caravan of eager and
enthusiastic hearts which have gathered around the Kaaba of hope from all over the world.
Of the millions who shelter under the sincere servitude of the One Lord, cherish a feeling
of solidarity and belonging to a unified society. Of the eyes, which are full of tears of
rose water that washes the ground on which, the Prophet (pbuh), his Progeny (pbut), Awliya
of God (pbut), worriers and the illustrious sons of Islam have walked. Of the souls that
receive light and purity from the spiritual effulgence of the sacred Bayt Allah and the
shrine of Muhammed al Mustafa (pbuh) and on his Progeny. Of the hands raised in
supplication, sending forth swarms of plea and request towards the court of the One Who is
without needs and of the concerned who seek the cure at the Healers door from the
chronic ailments of the Muslim world. There they find fellow sufferers and sympathisers
from every race, colour and language from every part of the world. Those who having felt
weak and lonely, now find power and majesty in that place.
Yes these are the days of festival and homecoming for the Islamic world and the Muslim
Ummah. It is fitting that throughout the world, Muslims and in particular the pilgrims of
the Sacred House of Allah should devote these hours and moments to worship a
contemplation. Those who have been blessed with this precious opportunity to perform Hajj
and visit the Prophets shrine this year, may return to their home with hands full of
Gods blessings and Divine Wisdom. Or even with renewed determination and resolve about
ones own future and that of the Islamic Ummah. Among the religious obligatory duties
of Muslims, Hajj is that biggest duty which brings together both the individual and social
components.
In the individual aspect, the aim is of self-purification and acquiring the Inner Light
and purity. Furthermore, being detached from all irrelevant materialistic attractions by
retreating into the solitude of ones spiritual self and intimacy with God the
Exalted through consistent remembrance and recourse in Him with total subservience. So
much so that man may be able to find that divine straight Path which leads to perfection
and wonder around in it.
In this area, the opportunities as well as test are so numerous that if one passes
through them with caution and care, then undoubtedly it would be an invaluable
achievement. The opportunities provided by Ihram and Talbiyah, by Tawaf and Salaat, by
Say and Harwalah, by the stay in Srafat and Mashar, by Ramy and the sacrifice
and by the remembrance of God, altogether produces an environment loaded with spirit and
life in all these stages. All these opportunities can provide an individual with a short
course in religious discipline and practice in self-restrain (Zuhr), forbearance,
gentleness and other acceptable virtues.
Within the social aspect, Hajj is unique among all the Islamic obligations. This is
because it is the manifestation of the prestige, power and the solidarity of the Islamic
Ummah. No other religious duty teaches every single Muslim about the affairs of the
Islamic Ummah and the Muslim world. Nor do they bring every single Muslim morally and
truly together into a collective power, prestige and unity. To remove this aspect of Hajj
amounts to depriving the Muslims of the spring of self-respect for the Muslims which
cannot be derived as through other means.
National strength is the key to all forms of success for every society and it is
necessary in attaining a complete natural life. National power means that the
society and country should possess ethical and scientific qualities along with material
resources, a sound political system and a general will and determination. Its a fact that
if a powerful society is devoid of proper guidance, supervision and implementation of
justice then that very material resources and science will lead it towards self
destruction. Its will and morality gets wasted and is directed onto a course of
degeneration. This is what we observe today in the case of United States and some other
countries. However due to the lack of these capabilities and factors of power, countries
become readily prone to the evils of moral and political decay. Thereby depriving nations
of the present and the Hereafter and all that of science and morality. That is why the
political and social teachings of Islam are all orientated towards attainment of power and
leadership in moral, scientific, political, spiritual and material spheres by Islamic
nations. Furthermore, all national leaders, who are alert, attempt to employ every
resources and opportunity to make their nations powerful.
The huge Islamic nation, despite of its number and resources, lacks the power and
prestige on the international arena. How can it be possible for it to obtain power and
prestige that it rightfully deserves? Every single Muslims and in particular the rulers
and statements of Islamic countries and the Muslim Ulama, intellectuals and
personalities must keep this question in their minds and try to find an answer for it.
Today the largest part of the worlds oil resources, which, without any
exaggeration, forms the bloodline of the present world civilisation, exists in Muslim
countries. Worlds most sensitive strategic points are under the control of Muslims.
A major part of mineral resources needed by the world for its present and future lies in
these countries. One-fifth of the whole population belongs to them. The biggest markets
for the products of the countries, which impose their hegemony upon Muslims, are in their
hands. Their rich and original culture, sciences and teachings taught the West how to take
those first steps in acquiring the present peak, which exists in the worlds
scientific achievements. This provided the Western culture with a true existence. In spite
of it all, today, on the international arena and in the general political process, Muslims
do not have any say in decision making on major world issues and in defining the system of
international relations. Worst still, unfortunately, many Islamic countries are
subservient in planning their national policies to one or several imperialist powers
because their governments are weak puppets and their nations are victims of repression and
inferiority complexes. While their ullama and intellectuals are subjected to fear,
indifference and love for comfort. As a result, their resources go to a waste and their
political affairs are directed by the imperialist powers. The great Islamic Ummah, which
should employ all its potentials to realise its power and prestige, is deprived of so much
of the leverage of its population and resource. These are in turn used against Islam and
the Muslims by the enemies.
It is observed that the present predicaments of the Islamic world and the tragic events
make life a bitter burden for millions of Muslims in different parts of the world. The
unfortunate tragedy of Palestine has no parallel in present day history. The historical
catastrophe of Muslims in the Balkans, the plight of Kashmir and Afghanistan, the
explosive situation in the Persian Gulf, the state of Muslim minorities in some European
countries are all eloquent testimonies to this bitter fact.
In recent weeks the Islamic world has been a witness to two consecutive vetoes by the
United States government of the condemnation of Zionist regimes by UN security Council for
the destruction of Muslim homes in the eastern quarters of Baytul Muqaddas. This is the
same United States, which derives a large part of its political and financial strength
from the existence of Muslim Arab countries. The governments of these countries make open
advances of friendship and respect towards her and offer her their wealth and even parts
of their territories. Why is it that in return for these friendly terms, the United States
is not ready, even for once, to heed to their wishes on the issue of Palestine? Without
doubt, no Arab and Muslim statesman can remain indifferent or fail to be enraged by the
recent aggression of the Zionist regime. These replicate the continuous crimes of that
regime which had been perpetrated throughout the last fifty years and which have even
violates the terms of the so-called peace agreement of recent years. Why does the long
standing friendship and loyalty of Arab statesmen towards the United States fail to make
the slightest impact on the daily escalating US support of the usurper regime? Its a
fact that the present government of more subservient to the Zionist that was the preceding
government, but when if ever, has a successive US governments considered their Arab
friends equal to their Zionist sibling or taken even once, any measures that might
displease the Zionist usurpers?
There are many lamentable issues involved in this matter. The tale of the neglect and
on occasions absolute treachery by insiders and the ultimate arrogance and obscenity
by outsiders and enemies is not something, which can be told in this belief discourse.
What I will say is that the enemys wrongdoing is due to the lack of enthusiasm of
our front line in making full use of all its power and potentials and employing the
capabilities its population and resources to encounter the enemies. The greatest reserve
of the Islamic world is the huge Islamic ummah and the Muslim nations. Its thunderous
protest arising from its unity, concord, mutual understanding coupled with the
intellectual potentials, manpower and God given resources can deafen the ears of any
imperialist power and send tremors into the hearts and compell it into submission.
Hajj highlights a manifestation and an example of this great and inexhaustible reserve
before our eyes. It is here that the real significance of the declaration of baraah
(with Mushrikeen) in Hajj becomes clear and that is how the collective cry of Muslims in
declaring Baraah with the Mushrikeen breathes life into Hajj and gives it meaning
and content.
Now, how can any Muslim have any doubt about the importance of the words of wisdom
which declare, "A Hajj without the Baraar is no Hajj."
The Muslim nations should know that if they are united God shall be with them and God
is more powerful than any potent phenomena in the material world. Muslim governments
should know that their people are their strongest bastion in confrontation with
aggressive, greedy and merciless predatory alien powers. If the powers are given ground
and relied upon, and if they are treated with honesty and sincerity, then the government
will come to enjoy power. Such that they would not need to be afraid of any enemy in
battle nor stand in need of any alien power in public life and development.
It is with the blessing of this harmony that the government and the people of Iran
have, trusting God, stood their ground against the arm twisting tactics of the United
States, unshaken by their repeated threats. Confident of their rightful stance, they feel
so strong that they see their future as bright, their path as clear and find their hearts
to be full of confidence and hope, despite the pressures that are brought upon them on all
sides by imperial stooges.
Dear brothers and sisters from all over the world! Utilise the precious opportunity
provided by the great concourse of Hajj and strengthen the bonds of love and understanding
of yourselves. Get acquainted with the destiny of one another and learn from each
others experience. Learn the secrets of the steadfastness and fortitude of the
Islamic Republic and the great Iranian people.
Proclaim loudly during Hajj your unity and solidarity. Declare vigorously your
animosity to arrogance, injustice and hypocrisy. Summon your ullama, intellectuals
and political and renounced personalities to exchange views. Show your support for the
oppressed people of Palestine and make the enemies hear your demands concerning the
problems of Palestine.
Contrary to the biased propaganda of the enemies, the people of Iran consider Hajj a
high platform for the growth of awakening of the Muslim Ummah. The seek to utilise their
presence for the benefit of the whole Muslim world not merely their own interests. The
Iranian people possess an experience that can be greatly valuable for all Islamic
countries. With the blessing of the sovereignty of Islam this great nation has been able
to recover and keep its political, economical and cultural independence. That which had
been totally lost during the era of Taghut. Thereby revealing the greatness and glory of
Islam in encountering global issues. She has successfully defended her frontiers against
several years of aggression carried out by military, financial and psychological means in
the hands of the enemies of Islam. After eight years of war she has managed to rebuild
herself and thereby displayed the miracle of the revolution in rebuilding the
countrys infrastructure. She has also succeeded in obtaining a high and prestigious
position on the international arena. She has elected several consecutive governments to
administer affairs of the country within the spheres of scientific, research, industrial
and agricultural developments. This has made freat `dvancements hn the countrys
development.
In foreign policy, Iran has boldly defended the position she considers right. The issue
of Palestine is considered in it as the most important problem in the Islamic world
despite the wishes of United States and the Zionists to try and cast it into oblivion. She
has used every opportunity to keep this issue constantly alive every opportunity is taken
in assisting the oppressed Bosnian people and always there is a helping hand for Muslim
nations who are facing ordeals. These policies are pursued and firmness Is demonstrated
despite the daily escalation nf pressure from imperialists and constant treats from
America. This is `n experience that is valuable for all Muslim nations and states.
In all sincerity, I extend my hand of friendship towards all Muslim states and welcome
their co-operation and mutual understanding in solving the problems of the Islamic world.
It is my humble advice to all Muslim nations that they should realise the relevance of
yourself and Islam and the luminous precepts of the Quran.
The great lessons taught to us by our respected Imam, the late Imam Khomeini, May God
be pleased with him, was that of returning to ones origins and returning to Islam.
Thereby realising our own importance and that of our enormous spiritual reserves. The
Iranian people have found the path of felicity by putting this lesson into practice. They
have covered several stages of this path and have continued to march ahead. There is no
other path of prosperity for other nations except this one.
If this was to happen then the usurper Zionist regime will not be able to resist the
power of the Islamic Ummah. Likewise, the United States would not dare anymore consider
the destiny of the people of Palestine as a joke and make a laughing stock of the Arab
states.
Should this happen, the Arab states will not find themselves compelled, contrary to
justice and fact, to disregard the people of Palestine or consider the Palestinian problem
as being irrelevant. Thereby allowing the Zionist access to Arab societies by establishing
political and economic relations with the usurper and aggressor regime and lifting the
siege which could so easily strangle the Zionist regime in the course of time.
We have no doubt that in the very near future with the sacrifice and awareness of the
Muslim world, the people of Palestine will ultimately recover their usurped rights. They
will expel the alien aggressors and oppressors from their homeland. However, it will be
the will and the determination of the Muslim states and nations, with the grace of God
that would expedite this process and lessen the ordeals.
In concluding, I would like to invite all the dear pilgrims to make full use of this
precious opportunity of Hajj for their personal spiritual development and to build their
collective future. I hope that they will remember all the Muslims of the world in their
prayers and particularly those who are victims of bitter events and ordeals of life.
Furthermore, please do not forget me, a mere servant of God in your supplications.
May peace and Gods blessings be upon the Imam of the time and may Allah, the
Exalted, expedite in his appearance by removing all obstacles.
WAS SALAMU ALAYKUM WA RAHMATULLAHI WA BARAKATUH.
Ali al Husayni al KhameneI
2nd Dhu al Hijjah 1417, 21 Farvardeen 1376, 08 April 1997
(the exact date could not been found, it must be between 20 and
25 March 1997)
In the name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate...
I want to mention something to you dear people. Regarding world issues,
the Islamic Republic of Iran believes in international cooperation. We believe that if the
benevolent people of the world were united, world affairs would be reformed. We believe
this. But this is very difficult to achieve. Therefore, we have to do two different things
in the world. First, our main duty is international cooperation, joint work and
cooperation with other nations and governments. This is our main duty on the international
scene. Secondly, there is an emergency responsibility and that is to fight. Yes, we are
forced to fight against the enemies of this country in the world. I wish our nation had no
enemies and we did not have to fight. But the nation has stubborn, obstinate, wicked,
lowly, deceiving, deceitful and dangerous enemies. We have to fight them. In this
international struggle, we have two types of enemies. First, there are the main enemies
who are the major problem. We have to fight them. But we don't fight the lesser enemies.
We try to reach an understanding with them and to point out their mistakes and to change
their minds about their enmity. This is how we deal with the lesser enemies. Even
sometimes it is not possible to call them an enemy. The problem is with the main enemy.
Who are the main enemies of the Islamic republic in the world? Today, the main enemies are
Zionism and world arrogance.
People chant in support
The main problem is the enmity of the Zionists and the world arrogance
against Islam, the system of the Islamic republic and the Iranian nation. A proper
translation for Zionism today is the aggressive, arrogant, rebellious and bullying
government of the United States. They make up the main arrogant powers in the world today.
The story of the arrogant powers is bitter. It is a bitter story for all nations. World
arrogance means the presence of a power in the world which is inconsiderate of the
interests of nations, the demands of human beings and the values of the human race. It
values only one thing and that is its own interests which it follows with a spirit of
arrogance, expansionism and bullying. Much like the highway bandits who think of nothing
but their own interests and even then use a language of violence, force, cruelty and
coercion. This is the state of affairs with America. But of course, more evil than America
is the Zionist government in the occupied Palestine. Why? Because the American government
is a government based on a nation. But the usurping Zionist government is not a nation.
The nation which belongs to those territories is homeless today. From the very first day,
Israel was created through injustice and murder. It was created through deceit and lies.
With British support a group of thugs and aggressors came to the land of Palestine and
forced out its population. Even today they and their children, millions of them, more than
a million people, continue to live in tents and in the condition of camps. In tents or
something similar. In hovels outside Palestine. The Palestinian people have to live
outside Palestine in hovels and camps while their homes and motherland is used by people
who have gone there from Europe, Australia, America, Asia and Africa to create a false
nation and to live there under this pretext. They have also created a government. But,
fundamentally speaking, such a nation never existed and never had an identity. The crime
committed by the Islamic republic is that it states this fact. Contrary to other
governments, which are either afraid of the US or enticed by it, and overlook this just
observation and conceal it, the Islamic republic states it openly. It says that justice is
justice, injustice is injustice. We cannot deny that there was a Palestinian nation and
that it is homeless today. We cannot deny that the land of Palestine has been usurped from
the Palestinian people and not even in a superficially polite or correct way; no, by
murder, by killing, by deceit, by lies, by force, by bloodletting, by massacre. The
Israeli government came into existence through massacres. The Israeli government came into
existence through treachery, deceit and bloodletting. From the start, the Israeli
government came into existence by trampling upon human values. The rights of a nation were
sacrificed under the feet of the Zionist invaders who entered occupied Palestine.
Throughout the 50 or so years of this fake government's life, there has been constant
suppression, constant murder, constant lies, deceit, aggression, attacks against human
beings, against the innocent. This has been the source of the survival and continued
existence of the government of Israel. This is what Israel is. This being the case, the US
president - it is truly amazing, he does not seem to feel any shame - stands before
international public opinion, in broad daylight, and says in a loud voice: We want to
cooperate with Israel to prevent terrorism. One is filled with amazement. What can one
call this? Is this negligence? Is this unfairness? Is this arrogance and bullying? What
does this mean? An Israel which came into existence on the basis of terrorism - today,
too, the most vicious and most dangerous terrorists in the world are those very same
people who are in positions of power in the wronged, occupied country of Palestine. You
want to cooperate with them in order to fight terrorism? The terrorists? Which terrorists?
The people who have been driven out of their homeland, have reached the end of their
tether after years of pressure, have brought a fist out of their sleeves, are shouting
out? Are these terrorists? We state these facts. We do not conceal these facts. We
consider it a sin to hide these clearest of facts simply in order to please the United
States.
People chant "Death to America"
Many people throughout the world, people who are in commercial and
political contact with us, tell us confidentially, tell our envoys and our people, they
say: The reason for the enmity of the United States against you has to do with precisely
this issue of the Middle East. They mean the issue of Israel...
They tell us, gentlemen, this pressure by the US, this economic
embargo, this hostile and wicked propaganda from elements within the American legislature
and within the American judiciary against the Islamic republic, all have to do with the
issue of Israel. They say, why do you not accept the Middle East peace? Why do you say,
this is not peace? This is compromise between a lamb and a wolf. Why do you say this? Why
do you not sign the death sentence of the Palestinians as others have done? This is what
they want from us. This is what it is about. So, today, at the head of this nation's
foreign enemies, with which we have our main foreign political battle in the world, is the
corrupt, usurper, evil, Zionist regime ruling over occupied Palestine, and behind it, the
regime of the United States of America. The US, with that vast size, with its scientific
advances, a big country, a big nation, has become an instrument manipulated by the
Zionists; like a giant whose leash is in the hands of a dog. The dog takes him wherever it
likes. They used to show some films like this once. A dog takes a giant wherever it likes.
Now, the US administration, with its enormous size, with its vast wealth, with its past
history, with the political, economic and military importance - that it believes it enjoys
in the world - has become a toy in the hands of the Zionists and the Israeli government.
When the US president adopts a decision against the Islamic republic, he goes to a
gathering of American Zionists and presents his report about it there; that is how it
becomes known to the world. This is a disgrace for the American nation. This is a
disgrace. These are the main enemies. The basis of the problem, dear people of Iran, is
what I have to say after experiencing seventeen years of the pride- inspiring victory of
the Islamic republic system, and after summing up the views of our departed Imam Khomeyni
and those of the people. What I have to say is brief: If any government, community, nation
or individual in the world imagines that the Iranian nation could be influenced through
force and threats, they are greatly mistaken.
People chant God is great, Khamene'i is the leader, death to America,
death to Israel
This nation which put up a brave resistance during the imposed war and
which stood steadfast against the threats and wicked deeds of arrogance and enemies for
seventeen years since the revolution , has at least proved to all the world that it is not
a nation which can be forced and threatened to take this or that path. Look at these
mothers! Look at these lion- hearted women who dispatched their offspring to the
battlefronts, for the sake of God - just like people sending their sons to their weddings
-and not even a frown crossed their brows. Look at them. Look at this resistant nation...
This nation has been repeatedly threatened in the course of these
seventeen years, by different governments. It has even been threatened with breaks in
relations over different incidents when the gentlemen in charge of European countries have
collectively withdrawn their ambassadors from Iran, believing this would cause the sky to
fall in and the world to turn upside down. But nothing changed at all . No doubt European
governments remember. We hope they do; we hope they will not make mistakes. There was a
day when all European ambassadors left Tehran, meaning that they had suspended relations
with us. The Islamic republic said goodbye to them. After a while, they realized that the
Islamic republic does not appear to be needing them. And thank God, it really did not need
them. So, one after another the ambassadors returned. It has always been like this. What
is important is that this nation should appreciate itself. What is important is that the
country's officials should appreciate this nation - and they do. Anyone working in any
sector should know that this nation is a great, powerful, faithful and invincible nation
so long as it preserves unity of expression and reliance on God. So long as you do this,
there is no power in the world that could overcome and defeat you.
People chant slogans in support
In the Name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate
Praise be to God, the Lord of the worlds. Praise be to God to whom all praise is due
for all His bounties. Praise be to God for His Clemency and His Knowledge, and for His
forgiveness and His power;. Praise be to God for His great patience while in wrath. He has
power over what He wills. We praise Him whose help we seek, whose forgiveness we ask and
in whom we put our trust. May our benedictions and peace be upon His sincere and noble
friend and the best of His creatures, the guardian of His secrets, His messenger, the
herald of His mercy, the one who warns of His punishment, our Master, Prophet and beloved,
Abu al-Qasim al- Mustafa Muhammad. Furthermore, upon his household, the most immaculate,
purest and select, the infallible rightly guided leaders, especially the remnant of God on
earth and may salutation be upon the divinely inspired Imams of Muslims and the protectors
of the oppressed. O servants of God, I advise you to have fear of God so as to seek
worldly pleasures and not to be allured by the world.
On this great day, I advise all the dear praying brothers and sisters to be God
fearing, devout and chaste, because these days belong to the Lord of the pious of the
world. The greatest lesson of these days is piety (taqwa). We should be careful about our
work, conduct, speech, association and about what occurs in our minds, that is, our innate
state, and try not to deviate from the divine path. This is the meaning of piety (taqwa),
and perhaps one of the main goals of fasting in Ramadhan is to realise piety within us and
to transform ourselves into pious human beings.
Today is Friday and it is one of those great days similar to which one can hardly find.
It coincides with twenty-first of Ramadhan, marking the Day of Blessing (Qadr), which is
as important as the Night of Blessings, and the day of the martyrdom of the Commander of
the Faithful (pbuh), which provides us with one of the bitter reminders of historical
Islamic events. It also coincides with the twelfth of Bahman, which is the inception of
the sovereignty of Islam over this country (Iran) and the revival of Islam world wide.
That is, the return of the Imam to Iran to administer truth and justice. In other words,
several important occasions have occurred simultaneously , which we should appreciate.
In the first sermon, initially I wish to express my devotion to Imam Ali, the Commander
of the Faithful (pbuh). Secondly, I would like to mention some important points concerning
the occasion of the Days of Blessing (Qadr), with regards to our psychologically and
spiritually problems. This is that which returns one to God, improves one's inner
dimension and removes and purifies the heart from sins. On the first Friday of Ramadhan, I
mentioned some points on seeking God's forgiveness. In the second sermon, I will speak a
little about the problems of the Revolution and will refer to an essential point
concerning the Revolution.
In looking at the life of the Commander of the Faithful (pbuh) we can imagine an ocean
whose dimensions cannot possible be comprehended by people both at a single glance and
also through a long study. If you approach the ocean from one direction, you will observe
a majestic world, various seas, abysmal depths, various aquatic creatures and various
forms of life and sea wonders. Apart from this, if you were to approach it from another
direction, you will observe the same wonders. This analogy is insufficient in explaining
the personality of the Commander of the Faithful (peace be upon him). If you look into
this personality in any respect, without exaggerating, you will find that it is something
that is wonderful. In retrospect, it can be said that it is due to the inability of a
person who has studied the life of the Commander of the Faithful (pbuh) over the years to
comprehend this wonderful state of Ali's (pbuh) character. This is understood to be the
case even after using common perceptual faculties of mind, reason, memory and rationality.
Of course, the Commander of the Faithful (pbuh) is a small-scale model and a disciple
of the Holy Prophet. However this very great personality, in spite of seeing himself
humble before the Prophet and being himself a disciple of his, seems to us an exceptional
hyman when we want to look upon him from the human point of view. We cannot imagine a
human being with such greatness. The human faculties of perception, reason and mind (not
to mention the TV camera which is much more insignificant than the human mind which is
superior to any material instruments) are too insignificant in articulating personality of
the Commander of the Faithful (pbuh) to those who have not acquired spiritual intuition
and contemplation.
Today, I want to mention a point about the life of the Commander of the Faithful (pbuh)
(peace be upon him). It is about a characteristic which I interpret as a balance in the
personality of the Commander of the Faithful (pbuh). His personality possesses a wonderful
balance. That is, the apparently opposite and inconsistent qualities are so beautifully
combined together so much so that they create a wonderful combination. One cannot see
anyone within whom such qualities brought together. Such qualities exist within the
Commander of the Faithful (pbuh) which are quite opposite to each other.
Now, I will mention some of these opposite qualities that are present within For
instance, mercy and gentleness are not in harmony with decisiveness and firmness. However,
Amir al-Momineen possessed mercy and gentleness at the highest degree. Such a condition
can hardly be found in ordinary people. For instance, those who help the poor and visit
the oppressed families are many in number, but it is only the Commander of the Faithful
(pbuh) who on the one hand does such things during his rule and power but does not do it
temporarily, rather continuously. While on the other hand he is not content himself by
rendering material aids but he also associates with and kindly treats blind people and
small children and helps, respects and makes them happy. How many people like this can we
find among those who are merciful and affectionate. Such is the Commander of the Faithful
(pbuh) in terms of mercy and compassion.
He visits the house of a widow having small children, and in addition to preparing her
oven, he bakes bread for her and feeds her children. He plays with the sad children so
that they may smile, bows down and lets them mount on his back and be carried by him. In
their shabby house, he amuses them so that the orphan children may laugh. Such is the
mercy and compassion of the Commander of the Faithful (pbuh). With regards to this, a
great man of that time said, "I saw Amir al-Momineen feeding honey to the poor and
orphan children so often that I said silently; `I wished I were an orphan." He said
that because he wished that he had been an orphan so as to enjoy such a favour of Ali.
This is an example of the tenderness and compassion of Ali.
It is this Amir al Momineen who at the Battle of Nahrawan, when a number of deviant and
bigoted individuals decided to overthrow the rule by false pretexts, the Commander of the
Faithful (pbuh) confronted them and advised them but it was of no use. He then argued with
them but that too was of no use to them. He then sent a mediator to them but this was also
useless. He gave them financial assistance and promised to help them but this did not
resolve the situation either. Finally, when he decides to fight them he again tried to
advise them but this did not help. At this point it was necessary to show decisiveness.
They were twelve thousand in number. Ali (pbuh) gave a banner to one of his companions and
said, "Anyone who comes under this banner by the following day will be secure while I
will fight with those who remain.." Out of the twelve thousand, eight thousand came
under the flag and they were pardoned by the Commander of the Faithful (pbuh) regardless
of their previous hostility, slander and conflict. When Ali (pbuh) found out that the
remaining four thousand were determined to fight, he said to them, "If you are
determined to fight, then not even ten of you will survive out of the four thousand."
He started the battle. From the four thousand strong, only nine remained while the rest
were killed. This is the same Ali (pbuh) who is like this because he sees the group as
wicked and evil people acting like scorpions.
The word Khawarij (Kharijites) is not well translated. Unfortunately, it is seen that
in speech, poetry, the film and so on, it is interpreted as religious conservatives. This
is a wrong interpretation. Who is a religious conservative? During the time of the
Commander of the Faithful (pbuh), there existed many who were self-willed. If you wish to
know the Kharijites, I will give you examples of them of our time. You remember the
Munafiqin (hypocritical)? They recited the Quranic verses and sermons from Nahjul Balagha,
pretended to be religious and considered themselves more Islamic and revolutionary than
others. In those days they planted bombs and killed all the members of a family consisting
of adults, children and babies at the time of Iftar (breaking of fast) in Ramadhan. Why?
Is it because they were supporters of the Imam and the Revolution. They unexpectedly
planted bombs and killed a large number of innocent people in some city square. Through
their bombing, the eighty-year-old ritual Friday prayer leader was martyred, who was an
old pious and luminous man and a struggler in the cause of Allah. In a bombing, they also
martyred about five other ritual Friday prayer leaders, being learned, distinguished,
pious religious scholars. The actions they perpetrated were such that they were Khawarij.
They killed Abd al-ibn Khabbab, cut open the abdomen of his pregnant wife and killed her
foetus, who was only a few months old and crushed her brain. Why? Was it because they were
followers of to Ali (pbuh). They must be removed and killed. They are the Khawarij.
You should know the Khawarij exactly. They were those who adhered to the apparent
aspects of religion and the verses of the Quran. They memorised the Quran and Nahjul
Balagha (In view of the fact that during that time the Quran played a dominant role and in
later they held to whatever was in their interest and thereby kept their religious
appearances). They apparently believed in certain aspects of religious tenets, but they
opposed the essential elements of the religion and showed fanatical opposition to it. They
pretended to be worshippers of God yet they were totally servants of Satan. You witnessed
that the Munafiqin (hypocrites) once made such claims and strengthened their apparent
religious state. When they deemed it necessary they struggled against the Revolution. Imam
and the system of the Islamic Republic. They were prepared to work for America, the
Zionists, Saddam and anybody else and be subservient to them . Such were the Khawarij. In
those days the Commander of the Faithful (pbuh) (pbuh) stood firmly against them. This is
that same Ali (pbuh).(Angry with the Kuffar and merciful within themselves)
You see how these two characteristics create beauty. Such a merciful and tender man who
could not bear seeing an orphan child sad. He says that he will not leave unless he makes
the child laugh. Then he stands against those deviant and wrongdoing people, who would
sting any innocent person like a scorpion, and kills about four thousand within a few
hours on a day. As for the companions of Ali (pbuh), less than ten , in fact five or six
were martyred. Out of the four thousand in the opposite camp, less than ten, that is about
nine remained alive. This is what is meant by a balance in personality.
Another example is his piety and authority of that respected person, which is something
that is extremely unusual. What is meant by wara (piety)? That is, man should abstain from
everything that is suspicious and implies opposition to religion. On the other hand, what
is meant by authority? After all is it possible for a ruler to display piety in such a
manner? Now that at present we are involved in it we can see how important these
attributes are when they materialise in anybody. During government, one faces problems in
the general sense, and executes laws which are of extreme benefit. However its possible
that in this process a person may be treated unjustly somewhere. After all an officialis a
human being so its possible he may violate a rule somewhere in this world or the country.
How can it be possible for one to be pious in spite of all these uncontrollable
surroundings? Thus, it appears so that the government is not consistent with piety.
However, the Commander of the Faithful (pbuh) (pbuh) combined the highest degree of piety
with the most powerful kind of government, which is quite an unusual thing.
He was frank with everybody. When he found a governor to be inefficient and
incompetent, he removed him. Muhammmad ibn Abi Bakr was like a son to the Commander of the
Faithful (pbuh) (pbuh) and he loved him like his own sons. He also looked upon Ali ibn Abi
Talib (pbuh) as his father. He was the youngest son of Abu Bakr and a devoted disciple of
the Commander of the Faithful (pbuh) and was brought up by Ali (pbuh). The Commander of
the Faithful (pbuh) (pbuh) sent Muhammad ibn Abi Bakr to Egypt as a governor. Then, he
wrote a letter saying to the effect that you are not sufficiently able for Egypt and
therefore I replace you and put Malik-e-Ashtar in your place. Muhammad ibn Abi Bakr became
annoyed as a human being in spite of having a lofty rank. However, the Commander of the
Faithful (pbuh) (pbuh) paid no attention to this. Muhammad ibn Abi Bakr was a great
personality who helped the Commander of the Faithful (pbuh) (pbuh) at the Battle of the
Camel and during the allegiance. He was the son of Abu Bakr and the brother of A`ishah,
the Mother of the Faithful. Although he was so important to the Commander of the Faithful
(pbuh) (pbuh), he paid no heed to the annoyance of Muhammad ibn Abi Bakr. This is the
meaning of piety, which is beneficial to anyone and any ruler during government. The
Commander of the Faithful (pbuh) (pbuh) possessed supreme piety.
A poet called Najashi wrote poems for the Commander of the Faithful (pbuh) and against
his enemies. One day in Ramadhan, he was passing through a lane when a corrupt man told
him to spend the day with him. He said that he was going to mosque in order to, let's say,
pray and recite the Quran. The man told him to attach no importance to the day of Ramadhan
and spend the day with him and persuaded him by force. At last, the poet went to his house
and started breaking his fast and drinking wine. He did not want to do that, but he got
involved. When it was found out that they had drunk, the Commander of the Faithful (pbuh)
said that each of them should be punished by being given eighty lashes for drinking wine
and ten or twenty more lashes for committing that in Ramadhan. Najashi said, "I am a
poet and an eulogise of your government. I fought against your enemies by way of words.
So, you the intention to flog me? To say it in our own words, the Imam told him that
irrespective of being dear and important to me, the divinely-ordained punishment will not
be cancelled. His relatives appealed to the Imam saying, "He was a poet and flogging
would be disgraceful for us and we would not regain our honour." Imam said,
"This can never happen. I cannot stop the punishment from being applied." The
man was laid down and flogged. Then, he escaped and disappeared overnight. He said,
"Since in your government there is no due respect paid to poet, artists and the
intellectuals like me, I must leave and go some where I might be valued and
respected." He decided to go where he might be valued and appreciated. Thus, he
approached Muawiyah, because he thought that Muawiyah would value and welcome him as a
poet. It does not matter. When a person is so blinded by his feelings that he could not
see the luminosity of Ali (pbuh), the disastrous result of such blindness is that he will
approach Muawiyah and devote himself to him. The Commander of the Faithful (pbuh) (pbuh)
knew that he would lose a man who was an important poet. The role of a poet was more
important at that time than today, because there was no mass media such as TV and radio.
It was the poets who spread ideas by composing poetry.
You see that how beautifully the piety of the Commander of the Faithful (pbuh) (pbuh)
was combined with his powerful government. There is no such example in the world. We have
not come across such a case in history anymore. The caliphs previous to the Commander of
the Faithful (pbuh) (pbuh) were very decisive and in this context. When one looks at their
history one comes across extraordinary acts on their part. However there is an amazing and
incredible difference between the Commander of the Faithful (pbuh) (pbuh) and what has
been observed before and after him to this day and cannot be mentioned or contemplated.
Another example is that of his power and him being treated unjustly. At his time, who
was more powerful than the Commander of the Faithful (pbuh), whose bravery was extremely
astonishing. Till the end of the life of the Commander of the Faithful (pbuh) (pbuh),
nobody dared to claim that could stand against the bravery of Amir ul Momineen (pbuh).
This very man, Ali (pbuh), was the most unjustly treated one at his time but rather,
according to that which has been said, he may be the most unjustly treated human beings in
Islamic history. Having power and being treated unjustly are such that they cannot be
combined together. Usually, men of power are not opposed, but the Commander of the
Faithful (pbuh) was treated unjustly.
Another example is his asceticism. The Commander of the Faithful (pbuh) is an ideal
model of asceticism and lack of desire for the world. Perhaps, one of the most important
subjects in the Nahj al-Balaghah is asceticism. During the twenty-five year period between
the departure of the Prophet and his assuming government, the Commander of the Faithful
(pbuh) himself was involved in developing fields for cultivation, making gardens, digging
wells and watering fields out of his own property. What is surprising is that he did all
these in the cause of God.
It is worth noting that the Commander of the Faithful (pbuh) had the largest income at
his time. He is quoted saying, "If my alms are distributed among the Hashimites, it
will suffice them." Such was the income of the Commander of the Faithful (pbuh)
(pbuh). However, such a man with such a large income lived in the poorest manner, because
he gave all ha had in the cause of God. Once he went into the ground and dug a well by
himself. The narrator said, "I saw water gushing from the well like that from a
throat of a camel and then started to flow. When the Commander of the Faithful (pbuh)
(pbuh) came out of the well covered with mud, he sat by the side of it and asked for a
piece of paper. He wrote on the paper, "This well has been entrusted by Ali Ibne Abi
Talib (pbuh) to such and such a people." What you observe during the government of
the Commander of the Faithful (pbuh) (pbuh) is the continuation of his personal life which
also manifests itself in his rule likewise.
To distance oneself from the world is not contradiction to world development as
ordained by God Almighty as a public duty. We can cultivate barren lands and gain wealth,
but we should not tie ourselves to it and not be imprisoned by it. We should not be
servants of capital, money and wealth and be overwhelmed by them unless one is able to
dispose of it comfortable in the way of God. This is an Islamic balance and there are so
many similar examples that it would take a long time to mention them now.
The justice of Ali ibn Abi Talib (pbuh) is another example. When we say that Ali ibn
Abi Talib (pbuh) was just, it is initially understood by everybody that he established
social justice in society. This is what justice is. Above all, justice is that very
balance. "On justice are founded the heavens and the earth." It means the very
balance in creation. This is the truth of the matter. Justice and truth are ultimately the
same and have the same meaning and possess one and the same reality. The characteristics
of life of the Commander of the Faithful (pbuh) embody justice and balance, and all the
good qualities are properly and quite beautifully combined within him.
One of the other characteristics of the Commander of the Faithful (pbuh) is his seeking
forgiveness of God about which I will mention some points at the end of this sermon. The
Commander of the Faithful (pbuh)'s supplications, repentance and seeking God's forgiveness
are very significant. A personality who is both a warrior and a politician and who ruled
over the biggest countries in the world for five years. His territory of government can be
estimated at as large as ten countries or so. In view of such an extensive territory of
government, and in spite of being occupied in numerous activities, he was a great and
perfect politician. The truth of the matter is that he administered the world and in fact,
he ran a world. His political strategies, his fights at battlefields, his policies on
administration and social affairs, his judgement among people and his attempts at
safeguarding human rights in that society are all great achievements which will occupy all
man's time. In such cases, those who are one sided may say, "Our worship and
supplication are the same thing i.e. working in the cause of God and our work is for
Allah." However, the Commander of the Faithful (pbuh) does not say this. He worked
and he also worshipped. In some traditions it is said that the Commander of the Faithful
(pbuh) often prayed one thousand rakat (units) day and night. However, I have not
investigated this matter to ascertain if these traditions are reliable or not.
The supplications (Du'a) which you know about are the famous supplications of the
Commander of the Faithful (pbuh). From his youth, the Commander of the Faithful (pbuh) was
used to supplication, turning to God in repentance and even on those days, he was engaged.
During the lifetime of the Prophet, he was also an active and revolutionary youth. and
always busy not having any free time. Even when it was asked in a gathering, `Who worships
most among the companions of the Prophet?" Abu Darda.said, "Ali." When he
was asked how it could be so, he gave some examples and convinced all that Ali (pbuh)
worshipped most. Ali (pbuh) had such a character both as a youth when he was about
twenty-five years, and even during his caliphate.
There are various stories told of the worship of the Commander of the Faithful (pbuh).
The Alid Leaf (al-Sahifat al-alawiyyah) as compiled by a group of Muslim scholars consist
of the supplications recounted of the Commander of the Faithful (pbuh), one of which is
the supplication of Kumayl ibn Ziyad (Du'd al-Kumayl), which we recite every Thursday
evening. I once asked our late Imam (Imam Khumeini) that among the existing supplications
which one he preferred most. After a pause, he said, "Two supplications: the
supplication of Kumayl and Munajat al-Sha'baniyyah (Sha'baniyyah Communion)." It is
probably that the Sh'abaniyah Munajat are also the words of the Commander of the Faithful
(pbuh), because it is related that all the Shi'ite Imams communed with God through it.
Moreover, the words and implications in Munajat Sha'baniyyash are similar to those in Du'a
al-Kumayl. Du'a al-Kumayl is also a wonderful supplication. The supplication starts by
seeking God's forgiveness and imploring him by ten of His Qualities. You will see that the
repentance which I referred to a few weeks age is this repentance. That is, it starts with
`Oh God, I ask You by Your Mercy which encompasses all things'. Then an oath is taken by
means of the ten attributes of God like His Blessings, His Strength, etc. After the oath
is taken on these ten attributes of God, it goes on to say, "Oh God, forgive me those
sins which tear apart safeguards! Oh God, forgive me those sins which draw down
adversities! Oh God, forgive me those sins which alter blessings! Oh God, forgive me those
sins which hold back supplication'. In this supplication, the Commander of the Faithful
(pbuh) mentions five kinds of sins. The sins which hold back supplication, the sins which
bring down calamity, and so on. That is sins which generate wrath, etc. The supplication
starts and ends by asking God's forgiveness. The main theme of this supplication is
sincerely seeking God's forgiveness. It is in this way that the Commander of the Faithful
(pbuh) seeks God's forgiveness.
My dears, the highest and most perfect life is that in which man seeks God's
satisfaction and distances himself from the self-godliness and carnal desires which make
the individual his own prisoner. Such is a perfect and upright human being. A
materialistic human, who is imprisoned in intolerable passion, desires of the soul and
sentiments, is an abject human being regardless of how great or high-ranking he appears to
be. The Presidents of one the biggest and richest countries who cannot fight against his
carnal desires and who are slaves are really weak human beings. However, a poor man who
can overcome his carnal desires and traverses the straight path-the path of human
perfection as ordained by God-is a great man.
Seeking God's forgiveness saves us from inferiority. It frees us from the chains and
cleanses the cloak covering our luminous hearts (which Allah subhanawatallah has given
you).The heart (qalb) means life, spirit or that which is man's real identity which in
itself is of luminous nature. Every human being is luminous in essence, even he/she who
does not commune with or has no knowledge of God is in essence luminous. However, as a
result of lack of knowledge of God, committing sins and fulfilling one's carnal desires,
the spirit has become opaque. Seeking God's forgiveness removes opacity and gives rise to
luminosity.
The month of Ramadhan is the time for seeking forgiveness of God, supplication and
turning to God in repentance. Two nights, i. e., the nineteenth and twenty-first ones,
which could be taken as the Nights of Blessing (Qadr) have passed, but the twenty-third
one is ahead of us so recognise its relevance. From the beginning of the twenty-third
night, that is from the time of sunset, the Divine Peace, `Peace! It is till the rising of
the dawn.'( Quran XCVII, 5), starts until the dawn call to prayer. These few hours in
between consist of Divine Peace, Godly Security and Mercy that encompass the whole
creation. That night is a wonderful night. It is better than a thousand months. That is to
say, it is better than a thousand months when compared to the life span full of blessings
and mercy. This one night is better than a thousand nights and it is considered extremely
important so show respect to this night. Spend it supplicating and pondering on the signs
of creation, man's destiny, the duties as ordained by God upon man and not being dependent
on the material life. Whatever we see is merely a gateway to that world which opens every
moment a breath is taken.
My dears, once the last breath is taken, we enter another world. We should prepare
ourselves for that day. The purpose for all this world, wealth, all the potentialities
placed within us by God, whatever is willed by God for man, such as just government,
comfortable life and so on, is to give man an opportunity to prepare himself for the life
in the other world. Prepare yourself, get close to God, have Commune with Him, invoke Him
and seek His forgiveness. Those who turn to God in such a way at that time, purify their
hearts, abandon sins and decide to do good deeds are so great beings that they can stand
against any difficulties in this world. An example of it is our great Imam (Imam
Khomeini). The believers of our own society can be taken as other examples. Each of the
indefatigable and believing youth, men and women, those who were martyred, those who are
war invalids, those who were prisoners of war, those who endured being away from their
beloved children, and those who endured hardships at battlefronts. Today, your are
escorting thousand martyrs from such people to their final resting-place. Each of them is
an outstanding example and how proper it will be if every nation has such an example to
glorify and follow. It is also worthwhile to respect them and consider them as ideal
examples.
In a brief sentence I would like to remember the twenty-first day of the month of
Ramadhan, in the year 40 A. H, which is the day of the martyrdom of the Commander of the
Faithful (pbuh). On this day, Kufa had a tragic scene. Remember the moment when you all
heard in Tehran that our great Imam had passed away. You noticed how bewildering, shocking
and heartbreaking it was. Of course, in view of the illness of the Imam, some were worried
and expected such an event. However, as for the Commander of the Faithful (pbuh), just a
few hours prior to his martyrdom, he was waking up those sleeping in mosque, his call to
prayer might have resounded in the air of Kufa, and his spiritual voice, that is his pearl
words overwhelming the mosque of Kufa may have been heard by the people till the last day.
Up to the previous night his voice was heard. The people were in their houses when they
suddenly heard a loud voice saying sadly, "Verily, the pillars of right guidance have
fallen down; Ali al-Murtada was murdered." Thus, the people of Kufa and then all the
world of Islam heard about the martyrdom of the Commander of the Faithful (pbuh).
In fact on numerous occasions the Commander of the Faithful (pbuh) had announced his
martyrdom again and again, and almost all his relatives knew about it. During the lifetime
of the Prophet, at the time of the Battle of the Ditch (Khandaq), Ali (pbuh), who was a
twenty-year-old youth or so fought against and killed Amr ibn Abd Wudd, who was a famous
Arab hero and who was honoured by the Quraish and the non-Quraish. They were certain that
he would put an end to the Prophet and the Muslims. He returned victoriously but in this
fight, Ali's forehead was wounded and blood ran down it. He came to the Prophet. The
Prophet looked at him and was saddened by his bloody face. This fighting, sacrificial and
beloved youth performed such a feat of valour and returned with a bloody forehead. The
Prophet said, "Dear Ali (pbuh) sit down" and he sat. The Prophet asked for a
piece of cloth, and he himself probably have cleaned the blood with it. Then he told the
two women responsible for wound dressing to dress Ali's wound well. After these orders,
suddenly, something occurred to the Prophet, and his eyes might have been filled with
tears. He looked at Ali and said to him, "Today I have bandaged your wounds but where
shall I be when this (your beard) is coloured by this (blood)." Therefore, all
expected such a day, and Imam Ali (PUH) announced it again and again.
Muhammad ibn Shahab Zahari relates: `The Commander of the Faithful (pbuh) was following
his murderer.' In other words, it was as if he was impatiently awaiting his murderer to
fulfil his duty. He felt the time for the occurrence of his murder moving on slowly. He
repeatedly said, "When will this ( his beard) be coloured by this ( blood)?" He
was waiting and those close to him also knew of it. However, in spite of being announced
before its occurrence, the event had such a great relevance that it upset all. After
having been struck, he was brought home. According to a tradition (riwayah) in the Bihar
al-Anwar, it is related that Ali (PUH) on occasion he would be unconscious and at another
he would regain it. Once after opening his eyes and finding his daughter sitting before
him and weeping, he said, `Do not grieve me; O Umm Kulthum, because you will not weep if
you see what I see. Verily, the angels in the seven heavens are queuing with the prophets
saying O Ali come to us, for what is before you is better for you than what you are in.'
O Lord, in the name of Muhammad and his household do not turn down those who have
prayed to you for the fulfilment of their needs on these days and nights, and who will
keep praying to you for their needs on the Twenty-third night and the following days. O
Lord, satisfy in full the needs of the Iranian nation, the needs of those who seek your
forgiveness and who remember you. O Lord, remove the people's difficulties. O Lord, let
our country, society, and the people follow Ali (PUH) with all their hearts and make us be
among the true followers of the Commander of the Faithful (pbuh) and grant us insight into
the sublimity of the status of the Commander of the Faithful (pbuh). O Lord, forgive us
our sins. O Lord, by your grace and munificence, forgive us those sins and errors which
hold back your mercy. O Lord, in the name of Muhammad and his household let Waly-i Asr (
the Imam of the ``Period'') be happy with us and let us enjoy his prayer. O Lord, in the
name of Muhammad and his household, hasten his appearance and make us be among his army
during his occultation and appearance. O Lord, let us not die but as martyrs in your
cause. O Lord, in the name of Muhammad and his household, make Islam and Muslims
victorious all over the world. O Lord, make the Iranian nation honoured and victorious on
all scenes and arenas and let the enemies of the Iranian nation be humiliated, suppressed
and distracted. O Lord, let the enemies of Islam and Muslims in any guise and form be
cursed and forsaken on your part. O Lord, let the hearts of the Islamic community and the
Muslims of all the countries in the world be brought close to the unifying principle of
Islam. O Lord, let the divisive hands be cut off. O Lord, let the deceased and our parents
enjoy your forgiveness. O Lord, let the pure heart of our great Imam be associated with
the pure spirits of the prophets and the Imams. Let him be associated with the Commander
of the Faithful (pbuh). Let the pure spirits of the martyrs be joined with those of the
martyrs of Karbala and those of early Islam.
In the Name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate When comes the
help of God, and victory, And thou dose see the people enter God's religion in crowds,
Celebrate the Praises of thy Lord, and pray for His Forgiveness: For He is Oft-Returning
(in Grace and Mercy) (Quran CX, 1-3).
Was-salamu `alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh.
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